This show has something for everyone. There is educational value as we have Pearson on board to talk about math. J.J. demos the Audio Game Hub for your amusement. Also, A Listener submitted tip, more about Google Home and then the show goes to the dogs in the Last Word". This is possibly one of the more diverse programs we've ever done in 84 episodes.

Welcome to our 2nd annual Blind Bargains Holiday Shopping Guide. This year, we've brought the deals straight to your audio feed. Sit back and relax as some of your favorite merchants, or perhaps some that are new to you, tell you about their latest products and services as well as some holiday deals. We'd like to sincerely thank all of the companies who were apart of this show. Below you'll find information about each company in the order they appear in the show.
Be sure to stay with Blind Bargains for lots of deals from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and beyond. We hope you have a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving and we'll be back to our normal? format next week.

Home is where the Google is... no wait. Google Home is in the house? Never mind. Our resident Gadget Guy Liam is with J.J. and Joe to talk about the new Google Home. We'll also talk a bit of news, hear a tip, check in with "Sound Off" and play a few games with the Last Word".

Turkey and stuffing are right around the corner. So why not have some good comfort food for the ears as well? this episode features the second portion of our interview with the delightful Ginny Owens. Along with that, there are the usual suspects like Sound Off", the "Last Word" and J.J. with a Mac tip of all things.

Spoiler warning, as we thought, this episode is full of event talk. Jeff Bishop, who just so happened to be on the actual Microsoft Campus during the big event in NYC, gives his impressions on many of our technology topics. We also managed to fit in some news and a "Last Word" too. So grab your dongles, sit back and relax while we discuss Apple and Microsoft.

This week we have part 1 of an extended interviewwith musician Ginny Owens, news and an important update in "Sound Off". Due to the recording schedule, we won't be discussing Microsoft or Apple's recent events. Rest assured, in episode 80, we'll dive right into that for sure. Darn the tech gods and their not adhering to our calendar of events!

Peanut butter and chocolate are a perfect example of how two separate things can come together to make one awesome thing. Today, as Ricky and J.J. demonstrate, we'll show how technology and cooking can fall into that same fantastic pairing with a discussion on the Instant Pot. We also have news, "Sound Off", the "Last Word" and a tip from Joe about web mail.

Looks like the News Spirits have provided this week, as we have plenty to cover at the top of the show. The Gadget Guy drops by briefly, J.J. has a tip and we discuss some feedback in the "Sound Off". Then, speaking of spirits, be sure to hear how they also influenced the "Last Word".

The Google fall event did bring us the new hardware we wanted. Or did it? J.J. and Joe talk all manner of G things in our Discussion Topic. We also have a quick bit of news, "Sound Off" and a tip of course. Additionally, we may have the most disturbing "Last Word" ... perhaps ever.

We've hit the lull between tech giant events. We'll attempt to fill that void by asking Patrick a whole lot of questions about his new iPhone. There is some news, "Sound Off', "Last Word" and a special tip from Shelly Brizbin too. But we're killing time this week until we unleash our thoughts upon the Googleplex event coverage in episode 76. Our poor, poor wallets!

Our devices aren't bricked by iOS 10. So we are left to our own devices to bring you this week's news and an interesting viewpoint in our Discussion Topic. We also have the returns of the "Last Word" and "Sound Off". Plus, as he promised, Scott has an iOS 10 tip.

The big event happened and there are opinions aplenty about it on the web. But let us add four more to the cacophony as J.J., Joe, Scott and Patrick weigh in on the controversy in an iPhone Plus-sized Discussion-filled episode.

It was bound to happen really. With the Apple event so close, the well of news dried up for this episode. We'll cover the news, what there is of it, but we called in the crew to provide us some feature content to go along with our tip and "Last Word". It's a darn good thing we have Patrick and Ricky around to help us in these dark times of a barren news cycle.

J.J. and Joe are back, and better than ever, with a week's worth of news. Plus, Scott is on board to talk about the Amazon Echo and voice remote. Sound Off, a tip and the "Last Word" round out this episode. So sit back and relax as the BBQ Crew prepares for takeoff down the podcast runway.

We're back from vacation. No really we are, with lots of news to catch up on from all that time away. J.J., Joe and Patrick might be a little rusty this week. However, that just allowed for some very interesting conversations in our Discussion Topic. Even with all this news, we managed to still find a way to fit in "Sound Off" and the "Last Word". And perhaps the first time we've ad-libbed a tip in the middle of a program.

We get a ton of listener feedback and show suggestions in from social media and from, of course, feedback@blindbargains.com One of those ideas for a show involved a summary of our previous tips all rolled up and placed inside an episode of its very own. With J.J. traveling, Patrick on vacation and Joe about to be doing some traveling of his own, this seemed like the perfect time to act on this concept.

In this episode you will hear previous tips, along with a few new ones, from the BBQ Crew. Here are some of the links to the episodes where these tips originally resided.

Andy and Jim take this group on a tour of some of their favorite tips when working from the road on a HIMS Braille Display or from a Braille Sense notetaker. Listen to hear how you can stay connected to the world via Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot. Or Bluetooth, as you can pair your Braille device to a Blaze ET for even more portable access. To learn more about Blindness options available from HIMS, visit the product page at their website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

We've featured the GoVision in our CSUN coverage, however, Joe hasn't gotten up close and personal with the unit for our BBQ fans until now. Paul shows Joe how the versatile arm of the device can allow a user to get up close and personal with their text no matter how close or far away it might be from the camera. Hear how GoVision differs from eBot and why you should consider this transportable unit if you find that you need a more deskbound Video magnifier solution. Need to know more? Head on over to the product page at the HIMS website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

We ve spent a good bit of July hearing about the Exhibit Halls from both the NFB and ACB National Conventions here on BBQ. And we have done a few of those wrap-up shows in the past. But we ve not done one of those types of shows, or really any episode, live before. This show has everything Ride Hailing Apps, OCR, Notetakers, Braille Displays, a Tip, Sound Off and even a Last Word . Listen as Jeff Bishop,Byron Lee and Jeff Thompson from Blind Abilities join J.J. for this look at what was hot or not from the 2016 Summer Conventions.

Laura Legendary, fresh off her successful crowdfunding campaign, journeyed to Minnesota to show off a wide array of accessories and designs to help you stand out in a crowd of your own. Or, if you like hosting your parties instead, Laura describes some ideal accoutrements that are perfect for that next get together with friends. To order some of the items mentioned in this interview, or to contact Laura for that special custom order, visit her website. And be sure to follow her on the social media outlets mentioned so you always know what is fashionable.

Sponsor
2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

John Olsen, of 3d Photo Works, talks about the concept of Tactile Art. The project dates back to 2008 and John s initial process for bringing his love of photography to our community. Chancey learns about the three steps that john applies to photos in this interesting interview from the Exhibit Hall floor. To learn more about the company, and it s mission, visit their website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Shiri Azenkott, Assistant Professor at Cornell Tech, talks with Chancey about how to harness 3d printing to enable users to better understand information in visual formats such as bar graphs. Further along in the interview, Chancey learns about another project that uses a smartphone application which could help her identify parts of an atom. To learn more about the University in general, visit their webpage.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Jeff Thompson is one busy guy. Podcasting, blogging and woodworking are just some of his talents. Add to that list a great knack for finding gadgets that can make your life easier and you have one amazing resource with Blind Abilities. To subscribe to the podcast, and to find the Blind Abilities app, [venture over to the website.]http://blindabilities.com/)

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Jarnail Chudge, with Microsoft UK, and Chancey take us on a journey where 3d audio could assist us in daily navigation. In concert with Guide Dogs UK, Jarnail provides an overview of the Cities unlocked program and a general description of their approach to aid existing mobility techniques. This fascinating interview contains Chancey s description of the convention demonstration, what cultural differences were observed between users on both sides of the Atlantic and concludes with some idea of what might be learned from the project s findings for practical use in a natural setting. To learn more about Cities unlocked, visit the project website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Suman Kanuganti, CEO of AIRA, shows Chancey the potential world of Visual Interpretation with a Google Glass-based device. Listen to a description of the glasses, the process that AIRA is using to interact with your environment and learn how you might be able to assist in future field trials. An interesting discussion of privacy considerations is also included. If you would like to know more, ]explore AIRA s website for more details.](https://aira.io/)

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Joe speaks with Harry Cohen to learn more about the VIP 3000, the newest product in a long line of thermostats that let you customize the heating and cooling levels in your home or office. The battery operated device attaches to existing environmental controls and it features recorded spoken voice samples to indicate the changes you make to the temperature. The unit also has a tactile feel for various buttons while visually sporting a traditional beige coloring with blue backlit display. To learn more about this product, and see YouTube overviews of the VIP 3000, visit the Talking Thermostats webpage.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Yuhang Zaho, PHD Student of Information Science at Cornell Institute of Technology, talks with Chancey about her time as an intern at Facebook. Subjects discussed include Facebook Messenger, facial recognition and how it relates to projects such as alternate text found in pictures posted on the social networking site. Also, listen for a testing opportunity for Android users. To learn about more access advancements at Facebook, follow @fbaccess on Twitter.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management of VFO Freedom Scientific, takes Chancey on a guided tour of the eagerly anticipated El Braille device. Sporting a Focus Blue 14, the El Braille gives the user the power of a Windows 10-based system and a full copy of JAWS on board. While not yet released at the time of this recording, you can keep up to date with product announcements regarding the El braille by visiting the Freedom Scientific website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Alice Lynch didn t have to give Joe the hard sell to get him to buy some of the Braille Jewelry she had on display at her booth. In fact, because she had some fantastic sci-fi pieces for sale, joe was happy to purchase a few items for himself and Ricky. Cane charms, Harness Charms, bracelets, earrings and more are available from Braille Designs. Custom orders are also possible in case you want to try your hand at adding your own flair to Alice s creations. To learn more, or to place an order, [visit the website.]http://brailledesign.com/)

Sponsor
2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Josh Coffee, President of E.A.S.Y. Tactile Graphics, describes the process of working with the National Federation of the Blind to create a system that allows a person to create drawings with the ability to review by touch in real time. Chancey also learns the process of embossing materials using the InTact line of products. Plus, if you are a member of a Blindness organization, be sure to listen near the end of the interview in order to learn how to join an upcoming beta of a new product. To learn more about this technology, and view a demonstration of the InTact, visit the company s website.

Sponsor
2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

One can eat a little too much at these convention events. So it s a good thing that Mel Scott has several options when it comes to audio based exercise workout plans. From low impact to advanced goals, Blind Alive has a guided workout for you. Mel also has a new set of Yoga plans as well that she debuted at convention. To learn more, and to sign up for the Blind Alive podcast, travel over to the website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Jeff Bazer, U.S. Sales manager for Dolphin Computer Access and no stranger to BBQ Convention Coverage, gives us a highlight reel of Supernova v15; screen Magnification, Screen Reading, OCR, touch screen support and more for your Windows based computer. Jeff also describes how Supernova can connect to the interactive whiteboard in the classroom and he expands on how a student can obtain a Supernova license if an education organization has purchased a copy for use at their campus. To nab a trial of Supernova, or to learn more about any of Dolphin s products, visit their website.

Sponsor
2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Winston Chen, Developer and Owner of VoiceDream, sits down with Chancey to talk about his award winning work in access. He was a recipient of an NFB Jacob Bolotin Award](https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-awards-50000-1) in the amount of $15,000. Winston describes his original design plans and his reaction to the Blind Community's adoption of his work. The interview concludes with a focus on VoiceDream Writer. To learn more about VoiceDream, visit the company s website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Barry Scheur gives joe an overview of his new leather cases line, part of the product lineup at Guide Lights and Gadgets. As Barry puts it, have you ever wanted a fanny pack for your notetaker?... But that is just the jumping off point for this look at the company s wares. Find out more, and join their mailing list, by venturing to the website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Neal Kuniansky, Director of marketing and Sales for Duxbury Systems, chats with Chancey on the Exhibit Hall floor about DBT for Mac. Sporting Voiceover, refreshable Braille and UEB support, the program will be shipping shortly for those who have been eagerly awaiting the program s return to the Macintosh platform. The Windows edition also has an update coming that features support for the latest lines of Braille Embossers. Math and back translation are also big additions to the new release and that should make students very happy. To find out more about both new versions of DBT, head over to the Duxbury Systems website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Earle Harrison didn t have to travel very far for this year s ACB 16 convention as Minneapolis is the home of Triumph Technology. And this home field advantage allowed Earle to go all out with a showcase of many of the company s products. From Braille Displays to Bluetooth speakers and musical instruments? Yep, hear Earle the musician during this look at what Triumph Technology has on hand. To learn more, or to contact the company, visit their website for a catalog of products.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

David Bradburn, President of Baum USA, steps outside the Exhibit Hall to speak to Chancey about the upcoming update to the VarioUltra Braille Display. Also covered is the VisioBook and VisioDesk Video Magnifiers along with a discussion of Blind Tennis? Yep, you read that right. To learn more about the Vario, and other products offered by Baum USA, visit the website for more details.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Our interview coverage for the year would not be complete if we didn t get a chance to talk with Kurzweil s Stephen Baum at one of the big events. And Joe managed to catch up with him at ACB to talk about a future release of version 15 in the long-running K1000 OCR series. While still in the early development stage, listen to the conversation as it moves from Windows 10 compatibility to a wish list for the next version for K1000. To grab a demo, move to the latest version or just learn more about the Kurzweil 3000 and 1000 product lines, visit the product home page.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

Larry Skutchan is someone who needs no introduction to anyone who has listened to our previous event coverage. However, it s the first time for Chancey to turn our microphones his way. And what a wonderful first time at the APH batter's box for her as Larry provides more information on the Orbit Research Braille Display, a talking tactile map, the Smart Brailler and the Joy Player. There was a lot of info in this one, so to learn more about the products mentioned, head on over to the APH website.

2016 summer convention coverage is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., makers of the Blaze ET, BrailleSense U2, and the GoVision. Go make it happen with GoVision, the new transportable video magnifier with optical character recognition and the ability to enlarge and customize files, photos or videos from your cell phone, tablet or computer. For more information, visit http://www.hims-inc.com
HIMS: Lifestyle innovation!

This week's show is way shorter than last week's show. However, we didn't skimp on the content because the news section is back in force. And we have our A T Guys Product Showcase on hand for those of you who are heading to the ACB or NFB national Conventions. Even if you aren't going to either convention, take a listen to the showcase and stick to our feed for convention coverage this July.

Ok, we'll say this right up front, with Apple mania and a huge AT buyout, this show took a bit of time to produce because there was so much to cover this week. We even brought in Mike Doise to help us sort it all out. plus, if that wasn't enough, we have a demo of a new Bluetooth keyboard from A T Guys as well. Throw in a tip, "Sound Off" and "Last Word". no more complaints for a few weeks about a slow news week. Because this one is going to be epic!

Two episodes and two Android-based hardware reviews. Yep, we wanted to balance the scales before the Apple WWDC round up episode next week. We also have a tip, another large complement of comments in "Sound Off" and a "Last Word" that inadvertently ended up being recorded in two parts. That just seems to be the dualistic nature of the odd-numbered episode 65.

A few months ago J.J. placed his new Android phone in the shower to demonstrate how water-resistant it was. While that was super entertaining, Ricky Enger decided not to do that with her new Android tablet. The 8-inch unit might be made for Android gaming, but at $200, it turns out to be an affordable slab of glass that just so happens to run marshmallow. Tune in to hear about that, our Windows related tip and possibly the longest "Sound Off' ever -- or at least Patrick felt that way. Relax as there are no Beatles titles referenced in BBQ 64.

News about conventions, a timely tip plus a couple of music clips in the "last Word"... you would think we might be back to a regular series of shows or something. Don't worry, "Summer is coming" and that will put a damper on that for a bit. until then, sit back and relax with episode 63 including an interview with the app developer of "Guardian Circle".

We've been away for a bit, darn that offline world, but we're back and ready to take on the pre-summer convention world. And Google i/o. While Steve and Ana are not on hand to aid us in our wrap-up of the big Android event, Ana's presence can be felt in one of the contributions to this week's "Last Word". We have an Apple TV tip and web-based "Sound Off" in the lineup as well. So Google Cast this week's episode and find out what's up with Google now... yeah, you know you missed that kind of word play from us. Admit it.

This week BBQ Regular Shelly Brizbin is on the show, although she didn't know it until just now. That is because we found a CSUN interview not heard before in our earlier run of coverage. So, um, surprise? We also have a tip, "Sound Off" and a motivational link on one hand and a modded OS on the other.

Before we begin, we would like to thank our sponsor HIMS for their wonderful support of BBQ. To learn more about the lifestyle Innovations, from low vision to Braille, visit the HIMS Inc. website.

This week Ricky and Joe provide a review of the I.D. mate Galaxy, the newest model in the popular I.D. mate Bar code Scanner line, from En-Vision America. We also have a Twitter tip, "Sound Off" and the opposite of "Inbox 0" in the "Last Word". So get ready to separate your tuna from your cat's can of tuna with BBQ 60!

The news for the week might be a little lighter, however, that just allowed us to have more time to spend with our friends from mystic Access on all their various projects. A tip, "Sound Off" and the infamous "Last Word" round out this week's offerings. So sit back and relax while our BB Qast Team takes you on another A.T.journey of the mind. Oh, and don't forget you can do so using Google Play Music for Android or via the web.

We're finally, and properly, back in the studio for a regular normal ordinary show this week. That isn't to say that our content is run of the mill however. We have Scott with a look at a new Amazon product, a tip for iOS, the Last Word" and more CSUN audio. no wait, um, we mean we have some last bit of CSUN audio from our sponsor HIMS up on the site this week. Namely, we have the first and second of their two CSUN presentations.
check them out and visit the HIMS site if you would like to know more about their innovative products.

Dave WIlkinson, in the second of two presentations from CSUN16, speaks to how Braille and Education go hand in hand in making a successful student. Listen as Dave demonstrates key features of the HIMS line of Braile Notetakers and Braille Displays. Then, he will talk about how math can be tamed in the classroom with Nemeth and HIMS products. To learn more about HIMS s Blindness solutions, visit the product directory page.
The Blind Bargains team would sincerely like to thank HIMS Inc. for once again being a sponsor of the podcast.

In this audio presentation from sunny San Diego, James McCarthy walks through the features of the newly released GoVision video magnifier. James answers questions along the way in this first of two CSUN HIMS events. If you would like to know more about GoVision, visit the product page at the HIMS website.

The Blind Bargains team would sincerely like to thank HIMS Inc. for once again being a sponsor of the podcast.

This year, Blind Bargains brought you more CSUN audio and coverage than ever before. We've called it the Year of Braille and our audio coverage proves it, with 13 of our podcasts talking about the bumpy dots. On episode 57, our CSUN podcast team, J.J. Meddaugh, Joe Steinkam, and Shelly Brisbin, discuss their highlights and lowlights of the conference as well as a few other stories that happened while the team was in San Diego.

The CSUN fun continues. In this episode, we feature a couple of CSUN interviews which were not released earlier, answer some listener mail, and introduce a hot new product from a familiar spokesperson. We hope you join us for this jam-packed show.

In this interview, Shelly talks with Lindsay Yazzolino, Tactile Test Administrator, and Steve Landau, owner of Touch Graphics, a company that is combining tactile maps with large Android tablets to create some very innovative talking maps. Already in use throughout the country, these maps could eventually connect with iBeacons to provide some truly unique wayfinding solutions.

In this audio, J.J. talks with Eric Vioche, Purchase Manager for Inside Vision, about the company's Windows 10 PC touch screen tablet that includes a 32-cell Braille display and a Perkins-style keyboard. Currently available in France, this unit will soon be available in the U.S. for around $7000.

In this interview, J.J. talks with three representatives from Google. Victor Tsaran works with various accessibility initiatives at Google, but often focuses his time on the Talkback screen reader. Christopher Patnoe, is the lead program manager for Google Play Music, and Karo Caran is the Accessibility program manager for Google Play. There are many accessibility improvements under way across all of Google's services, and this discussion highlights many of them.

In this audio, Shelly talks with Wendy Greenwood of Reinecker U.S. about the Mezzo Vario, a compact CCTV device that has been around for a while, but continues to receive timely updates. You can obtain the Mezzo Vario from HIMS Inc. thanks to a new partnership between HIMS and Reinecker. The Mezzo Vario is priced at $2,495.00.

In this audio, J.J. speaks with Bjorn Lefstedt, the owner and founder of Index Braille, about the newest offerings in their line of Braille Embossers. The V5 includes new text-to-speech support, printing from USB flash drives, and a way to print from mobile devices. Feel free to visit the company's Website to learn more.

In this interview, J.J. speaks with Tony Han, Sales Manager for NeoAccess, about Neobraille, a new 32-cell Braille display with Perkins-style keyboard entry. The unit runs on Android 5.1, but will have its own app store rather than using the Google Play store. Visit Irie-AT to learn more about this display, priced at $4,995.00.

In this audio, J.J. speaks with Danel Novak from BlindShell. This Android phone comes with custom-built apps intended for the blind user who is not comfortable with traditional smart phone technology. When it is available in the U.S., the hardware and software package should cost around $350.

In this Blind Bargains audio, J.J. talks with Han Kim of Ohfatech about Taptic-edu, a tool that uses an iOS or Android app to allow teachers to interact with students using oversized Braille dots. With an entry price of around $700, this teaching tool should launch in the United States in May or June of 2016.

In this interview, Shelly Brisbin talks with Erik Bondemark, the CEO of Low Vision International, about the MagniLink S and MagniLink Pro. These devices not only enlarge text, but perform full page OCR. Pricing for the MagniLink S starts at $2,600, and operates on Windows and Mac.

In this audio, Shelly talks with Eric Damery about Freedom Scientific's new Ruby 7-inch magnifier. The product will ship in April. Please check the Freedom Scientific website for pricing. Shelly and Eric also talk briefly about the merger of Freedom Scientific and Optelec.

Braille made a huge splash at CSUN, and HumanWare's latest BraileNote was right in the thick of things. In this extensive interview, J.J. speaks with Greg Stilson, Product Manager for HumanWare's Blindness Products, who demonstrates the BrailleNote Touch, an Android-based assistant with Google apps and services in the background, but the familiar KeySoft commands in the foreground. The units will ship in May with the 32-cell unit selling for $5,495 and the 18-cel for $3,995. Check our previous post for more general information on the unit.

Anyone who has ever listened to Joe on a podcast knows that he is an avid gamer. In this conversation with Ian Hamilton and Adriane Kuzminski, who is a sound designer, Joe really geeks out. This audio is for the serious gamer, or anyone who wants to become aware of what is available in the world of gaming for blind people today, and what developments are on the horizon.

In this interview, Shelly speaks with james McCarthy, President of HIMS Inc. about the company's new GoVision video magnifier. The GoVision is priced at $2795.00 Please check the HIMS Website for product availability.

In this interview, James Bailey of Enhanced Vision talks with Shelly Brisbin about DaVinci Pro, a three-in-one high-definition desktop magnification solution that includes full-page OCR capabilities. The unit is priced at $3795.00 in the United States.

Dolphin Computer Access has been hard at work on updating its SuperNova screen magnification software. Now, students can read content being displayed on their classroom s whiteboard, and even track mouse movement on Whiteboard with ease. In this Blind Bargains audio, Shelly Brisbin talks with Jeff Bazer about the exciting enhancements to Super Nova.

Jeff also tells Shelly about Guide Reader, a soon-to-be-released tablet that will allow the user to read content from BARD, Bookshare, NFB Newsline, and many other sources using Dolphin s Guide product.

Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2016 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.Dolphin Computer Access has been hard at work on updating its Super Nova screen magnification software. Now, students can read content being displayed on their classroom s whiteboard, and even track mouse movement on Whiteboard with ease. In this Blind Bargains audio, Shelly Brisbin talks with Jeff Bazer about the exciting enhancements to Super Nova.

Jeff also tells Shelly about Guide Reader, a soon-to-be-released tablet that will allow the user to read content from BARD, Bookshare, NFB Newsline, and many other sources using Dolphin s Guide product.

David Raistrick of En-Vision America says that the i.d. mate Galaxy is the best talking bar code scanner that the company has released to date. That is saying a lot, considering the fact that the Galaxy is the sixth generation bar code scanner released by En-Vision America over a 20-year period.

In this interview, Joe talks with David about the i.d. mate Galaxy, and takes the unit for a test drive.

In this interview, J.J. speaks with Larry Skutchan, Director of Technology Product Research at The American Printing House for the Blind (APH.) JJ and Larry talk about APH's new Orbit Reader 20 Braille display which should sell for around $500 when it is released later this year. APH is also partnering with Freedom Scientific to provide students with a copy of Jaws at no cost during their school years. Larry also spills the beans on a possible forthcoming 40-cell braille display. This is a wide-ranging interview, with many topics covered.

Irisbond is eye tracking hardware and software designed for those who are unable to move. In this audio, Joe speaks with Marie Macharckova about the technology that allows someone to control a computer solely with their eyes.

Joe sits down with Brian and Louise Hartgen to talk about upcoming updates to Leasey, the set of productivity tools for Jaws 14 and up that have been developed by Hartgen Consultancy. In addition to productivity, Leasey now sports some very engaging games. Louise talks about her plans for the future of Leasey game development.

There is a lot more that Hartgen Consultancy has to offer, so be sure and listen to this very informative interview.

Aira is an assistance app that will use a device such as Google Glass in conjunction with an iOS or Android phone, and will connect the user to a professionally trained agent. In this interview J.J. talks with Michael Hingson and Austin Marron about the project, and discusses scenarios from sifting through legal documents to navigating airports with the help of Aira. Subscriptions will start at around $9 per month, and the service will roll out later this year.

In this interview, Joe visits with Cory Hanosh of North State Technology about a variety of magnification options running on Android tablets. From close-up magnification to distance viewing, North State has you covered. Their software is not available from the Google Play store, but must be purchased with hardware.

In this interview, Joe speaks with Mike Robichaux from Docsoft, a service that provides closed captioning, and even some audio description for your audio and video content. Docsoft provides a variety of services to meet the needs of podcasters, video content creators, and more.

Anyone who has ever visited the Triumph Technology booth at a convention knows that this company offers an amazing variety of Braille displays. In this audio, Joe and Earl Harrison banter back and forth a bit, but also get down to business and talk Braille.

In this audio, J.J. examines a prototype of a Braille smart watch, and talks to Eric Kim, the CEO of Dot Incorporated, about its planned development. In addition to developing Dot Watch, the company hopes to release Dot Pad, the first multilayered Braille smart device.

Dot Watch will pair with iOS and Android devices, and come with its own app for setting up notifications.

Following is information presented in FSCast 123 which covered 2 new announcements from Freedom Scientific that were also made at CSUN. This information is presented in textual format so that those who prefer to read rather than listen can also have access to it. From an accessibility perspective, this article is for those who are not able to hear podcasts, who may find the information helpful. Any errors made in the below information are that of the author s, and it may also be worth noting that the author has a significant hearing impairment as well.

The American Printing House for the Blind and Freedom Scientific Partner up

The first major announcement was that Freedom Scientific and The American Printing House for the Blind are teaming up to bring JAWS and Magic, student Edition, to the classroom through the purchase of this software through quota-funds. Each license is good for 12 months, and has 3 user keys. This means a student can have access to JAWS and/or Magic in and outside of school, to complete homework assignments and do research. The license expires 12 months after the first key was installed, unless a school district elects to continue renewing that specific subscription. If the student has had their license renewed 4 times, Freedom Scientific will issue them a home license until that student graduates from grade school. Once that happens, the now graduated student would be responsible for maintaining their SMA. If the place in question does not have quota-funds available, they can also purchase a 12 month subscription from APH for $300. The Student Edition only differs from the other versions of the software in the licensing structure. All features, technical support, and documentation will be available for the Student Edition just like any other version. Eric Damery indicated in the podcast that they anticipate having the program ready for customers by the end of April, and that an official press release will come out when the program is ready to launch.

ElBraille

Adi Kushnir came to the podcast to discuss ElBraille. Think of the ElBraille as a computer inside the form factor of a notetaker. The components are housed on one part of the device, while a Focus 14 makes up the other part. The Focus can be disconnected from the rest of the device, so if you wish to take your Focus 14 and not the full version of the ElBraille somewhere for some reason, that is also an option. The ElBraille has a full 32-bit version of Windows 10 on it along with JAWS 17.

Here s a physical description of the ElBraille as presented in the podcast. The device measures 7.4x4.7x1.5 inches. With the Focus 14 attached, the entire package weighs 1.65 pounds. On the front, you have the Focus 14. As such, all of the controls that you will find on the Focus 14 are what make up the front of the device. ON the right side of the ElBraille, you have 1 button which allows you to detach the Focus 14 from the ElBraille. Continuing along the right side, you have the headphone jack, a SD card slot, USB port, and the power button. The back and left sides of the ElBraille do not contain any buttons, ports, or controls. On top of the ElBraille, behind the Perkins style keyboard of the Focus you have 6 buttons: E1, E2, volume down, volume up, E3, and E4. The top of the unit also contains speakers, a Braille label, and a micro SIM card for cellular connectivity in the upper left corner of the surface of the device.

The internal parts of the device include: 1.8 GHZ quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, comes with a 64 GB SD card that is internal, SD card reader that supports cards up to 256 GB, a built-in microphone, stereo speakers, a vibration motor, 3G modem, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 N wifi and all protocols before it, built-in GPS, accelerometer, a USB port, and a battery life that they advertized as lasting over 20 hours even with wifi in use. The ElBraille also features a rescue mode button which will launch a menu separate from JAWS that self voices and has braille output.

While it does have a full-blown copy of Windows and comes in the flavor of a notetaker, Adi Kushnir indicated that it takes between 20 and 30 seconds to boot when in hibernation mode. It resembles a notetaker, but because it s running a full version of Windows, it s not possible to turn the unit on and be ready to add to a new note quickly. The 3G modem is GSM only, which, for those in North America, means that the device will only be compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T.

Pricing of the ElBraille is dependent on what the user already has. For example, if one already has a Focus 14 and JAWS 17, they could use their existing purchased stuff to lower the cost of the ElBraille significantly. This user would only pay for the docking station which includes the components listed above. The price will, of course, go up from there if you do not already own JAWS 17 or a Focus 14. No specific prices were mentioned and Freedom Scientific indicated the information was not yet available. IT was also made clear in the podcast that Freedom Scientific does not have an anticipated release date, other than it should be in the second half of 2016.

Looking ahead, Adi Kushnir indicated that they are already working on a second generation of the product, and will also be releasing a version which will fit the Focus 40. Hardware, according to Kushnir, is expected to be updated annually. The cost of upgrading, according to both Mosen and Kushnir will be much cheaper than what it would cost to upgrade standard notetakers, because the user only needs to replace the docking station. The JAWS license and display do not need to be replaced. For now, users wanting more information can contact info@eliagroup.ru At the moment, the website is only in Russian, but they will have an English website coming soon.

Ambutech is known for its wide array of styles and choices when it comes to canes. In this interview, Joe talks with Gordon Hudek about Ambutech's new Dakota Disk tip, intended for all kinds of rough terrain from sandy beaches to snowy regions.

In this Blind Bargains audio, Joe talks with Sam Dooley about an accessible equation editor that allows a student using NVDA with Firefox to type math equations in Nemeth Braille that can be seen by a sighted teacher. There are many more possibilities to explore with this technology, and other screen reader/browser combinations are being looked into.

Since its launch in 2014, the VarioUltra from Baum has continued to gain favor in the blind community. This Braille display can connect to five devices at once, and includes some notetaking capabilities.

In this audio, Joe talks with David Bradburn about the success of the VarioUltra, as well as some planned enhancements to the product. Joe and David also talk about the VisioPro, the company s newest desktop magnifier.

In this extensive interview, J.J. speaks with Peter Korn, Accessibility Architect at Amazon. Peter frankly talks about previous mis-steps Amazon has made in the area of accessibility, and where the company is currently headed in that regard. Along with a discussion of the Amazon Echo, JJ examines Amazon's newest Fire OS tablet running the company's VoiceView screen reader.

In this audio, J.J. talks with Sales Engineer Robert Jaquiss and CEO Tore Skrogstad of American Thermoform about the Braillo 650 sf commercial Braille embosser. Priced at $130,000, this embosser will produce a Braille magazine complete with folded and stapled pages, as well as a print label on the front cover.

In this interview, J.J. talks with Jeremy Curry of Ai Squared about Fusion, the new product that brings the power of ZoomText and Window-Eyes together into one piece of software. Support for multiple monitors, and a fully-featured learning center are just a couple examples of what can be found in Fusion. The retail price of Fusion is $999, but there are some attractive upgrade options for anyone who currently owns ZoomText or Window-Eyes.

JJ and Jeremy also talk about the future of Window-Eyes, including completely rewritten Braille support, and where Ai Squared as a company is headed in the future.

After almost six years of development, National Braille Press is unveiling the B2G, a "portable, Android-based refreshable braille computer and optional smart phone." Priced at $2,495, this 20-cell Braille notetaker runs on Android's Jellybean operating system, and sports some 32 apps. With access to the Google Play store, it is possible to install many more apps on the device.

In this audio, JJ speaks with Brian McDonald of National Braille Press about the B2G, and puts it through its paces.

Many are heralding this year's CSUN convention as the year of Braille. With the release of the B2G, National Braille Press is doing their part to make that a reality.

In Blind Bargains Qast 21,Dave Williams demonstrated a prototype of the Canute electronic Braille book reader from Bristol Braille technology. The Canute is an eight-line, 32-cell open-source Braille display intended primarily for reading content. In this interview, J.J. speaks with Ed Rogers and Dave Williams about the progress of development on the Canute. Bristol Braille Technology hopes to release the Braille display at a cost of around $700 U.S.

Before we begin the show this week, our thoughts and prayers go out to Rick Reed and his family. Sadly, Rick passed away this week and he will be greatly missed by many in our community. We were lucky enough to have Rick on two of our programs. He was featured as a panelist in last year's NFB AT Trainers Division Meeting as well as BB Qast 25.

A hardware review? yep, J.J. has the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and he found an interesting way to test one of its features. Patrick takes us on a tour of the Disney app that sports audio described content. And there is a tip, "Sound Off" and the infamous "Last Word all on episode 56.

So much for that pre-CSUN news drought. Seems we have a whole mess of news to talk about before we get to our feature interview on Dictation Bridge with Lucy Greco. Liam, our Gadget Guy, is back to answer some questions our listeners sent in about the Amazon Echo. Plus, learn about an accessible March madness promotion we have going which might net you an A T Guys prize. And somewhere in there is our "Last Word" and "Sound Off". it is an action-packed episode of the Blind Bargains Qast!

Our resident Gadget Guy, Liam Erven, returns to show off a popular device from Amazon this week. The news line up is a little sparse pre CSUN, but we bet that won't be the case much longer as we're less than three weeks out from going to sunny San Diego. joe has a Windows tip, there is some great feedback in "Sound Off" and you'll hear about GPS plus overdue parking in the "Last Word".

News, a demo from Scott Davert and a nice assortment of your feedback in "Sound Off" make up the bulk of this week's program. The "Last Word" focuses on music and travel. And we have a tip in there somewhere. So sit back and relax while J.J. and Joe talk about the goings on in our community.

We catch up on a few weeks of news, we revisit the talking Xbox with a cord cutting solution then discuss how an eye is like a pancake. No, seriously, we do. Oh, of course, we also have "Sound Off" and a Dropbox tip to share... get it? Dropbox? Share?

This week J.J. and Joe bring you two interviews in one information-filled podcast. First up Joe sits down with BBQ Regulars Shelly and Jamie to talk ATIA. Next, J.J. has a chat with the man behind "CAPTCHA Be Gone", Christopher Toth, who gives us a demo of the new service from Accessible Apps. And if that wasn't enough... we have a tip, "Sound Off" and the odd news with the "Last Word".

Joe is back from traveling, however, J.J. is not. Never to worry though, thanks to our Audio Master Patrick, you will hear J.J. from the creature comforts of a hotel room from an undisclosed location -- that isn't ATIA 2016. No really, it isn't. This week's show was recorded before that event. So the news this week is kind of light. We do have a product review, "Sound Off" and "Last Word" on tap. Plus a quick tip.

Mmmm ... there is nothing like peeling off the shrink wrap on the first new show of the year. And we start season two off with a big interview, a tip and all the news we didn't talk about while we were on vacation. Be sure to read all the notes in order to learn how you can be involved in our first giveaway of 2016!

We've been counting down the top 10 Blind Bargains stories of 2015, and now it's time for the podcast crew to take over and reveal the best of the best. Listen in as Joe and J.J. are joined by Shelly Brisbin and Chancey Fleet as they discuss the big movers and shakers of 2015 and look ahead to 2016. Will Netflix take the crown with audio-described dramas and comedies? Or will a story from the world of screen readers end up on top. The only way to know is to listen.

46 episodes, several specials and just a few interviews make up the first year of the Blind Bargains Qast. But that barely describes our first year of shows. We've had amazing discussions with the movers and shakers in Blindness Assistive Technology. We've heard devices like cable boxes and video game consoles speak for the first time. And then there were the staples of the internet in the form of food and cats. yes, our first year of BBQ ran the gammet and here is a sample of the good, the not so good and the stuff Patrick kept around as part of his holiday... surprise! for you. Some of this audio hasn't even been heard by J.J. and Joe. So really it is the perfect gift for fans of our Qast.

We would sincerely like to thank our sponsors, panel regulars, content contributors and our interview guests for being so generous with their patronage and time. We would not have a show without them. nor you the listener. It was our audience that named this podcast and it was our audience that drove the subject matter that we covered during the year. if it wasn't for all of you, well this show would sound a whole lot different. probably not in a good way either.

So from J.J., Joe and Patrick... thank you for listening and here's to a fun and exciting 2016!

Many people who are blind and visually impaired have aspirations of starting their own company. Often, this idea leads to more questions than answers. What software tools are accessible? Which shopping cart or payment solution should you use? What about accounting?
At CSUN 2015, J.J. and Ted Drake from Intuit presented a session titled "Small Business in a Box: Enabling Entrepreneurship with Accessible Tech". The session talks about a new resource Called BizAbility which seeks to collect resources and articles to answer questions like the ones listed above.

Joe and J.J. took a little time out from holiday shopping, and looking at the crazy people sitting in line for the Force Awakens", to hang out with Liam to discuss gadgets. Along for the ride is Travis with a tip and some familiar friends in the "Last Word". So grab a fresh set of batteries or start wrapping all those gifts, it is the final regularish show of 2015!

We're going to be honest this week. The news and the middle of the show came together quite organically and "in the moment". Okay, that is our stylish way of saying we had no idea what the show was going to actually have in store for us, and for you the listener, until we discussed things in the studio. and, despite that little lack of planning, the result ain't half bad. See, we still have news, a look at some games Joe can't completely recommend, a tip plus "Sound Off" and "Last Word". We won't be making this style choice a regular habit, however it's nice to have a "fly by the seat of our pants" show land during the holiday season.

J.J. and Joe are still recovering from Black Friday, Cyber monday, Small Business Saturday and perhaps just a few plates of Thanksgiving's best. However, that hasn't stopped them from bringing you some of the latest news and a fantastic interview about a new app. "Sound Off" talks remotes, the "Last Word" looks at the past and our tip this week focuses on NVDA. All that, and more, on this week's Blind Bargains Qast.

Welcome to our special Blind Bargains Holiday Shopping Guide. This year, we've brought the deals straight to your audio feed. Sit back and relax as some of your favorite merchants, or perhaps some that are new to you, tell you about their latest products and services as well as some holiday deals. We'd like to sincerely thank all of the companies who were apart of this show. Below you'll find information about each company in the order they appear in the show.
Be sure to stay with Blind Bargains for lots of deals from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and beyond. We hope you have a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving.

We may be nearing the end of another year, but that doesn't seem to be stopping big events from happening. J.J. has returned from his big trip to the West Coast, Joe has returned from the Apple Store where he saw a big iPad and we open this week's round of news with a story that might end up being one of the biggest things to happen to A.T. all year. Joe also demonstrates an MFI controller for his new Apple TV... on a big screen. Then we have "Sound Off", a tip and the "Last Word". So get yourself a big hot or cold beverage of your choice. This one is going to be, sensing a theme here?, big.

When not distracted by upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday rumors, J.J. and joe found time to construct this week's BB Qast. We have a supersized interview about a new DAISY player, as well as our regular features of "Sound Off" and a feline-centric "Last Word".

A "back to basics" show this week. And by that we mean fewer zombies, okay sadly, only two, but they're the hosts after all. We also have an interview, "Sound Off' and the "Last Word" in this return to the original formula episode of the BB Qast.

We'll warn you right up front. This show will sound a whole lot better if you throw on a pair of headphones or earbuds. We'll be taking a spin through some spine-tingling bone-chilling audio games in this episode. And yes, there will be zombies. So many zombies ... ahem, not all the audio is game related though. There is a tip and we stop playing games long enough to recommend an app about a book. Don't worry, it still has a zombie as the main character. After all it is Halloween!

J.J. is back from New York City and he brought an interview with him to boot. Joe takes us on a short trip with the Blind Knight as his companion. Plus the regular stuff like a tip, "Sound Off" and some strangeness that always comes along in "The Last Word".

The last of the big tech events has concluded with Microsoft taking a bit of a victory lap. J.J., Joe and Rodney Edgar dive into the hardware portions of the MS talk then broaden out their conversation to compare these announcements against the earlier news from Google and Apple. Along the way we'll have the usual features; "Last Word", "Sound Off" and much more in episode 36 of the BBQ!

In order to celebrate our 35th episode, and at the cost of $35 no less, J.J. takes us on a path of audio bliss with his demo of the new Chromecast Audio device from Google. Joe talks about a low vision friendly time waster that returns "Back From The Future". Also there is the matter of the news, a tip, "Sound Off' and the infamous "Last Word" sporting a cameo from Mr. Patrick Perdue!

A few weeks ago we talked about the products that emerged from the Apple event. Now it is Google's turn as J.J., Joe and Steven Clower discuss what was announced at the Nexus presentation. Surprisingly, Apple gets a mention here and there throughout the show. We also have a tip from Jeffrey Stark, "Sound Off" and of course the "Last Word".

Google and Microsoft may have some new hardware coming in a week or two. So Joe and J.J. thought why not play a game and read social media from the web to pass the time before the next big tech event lands, enticing all to drain their bank accounts this holiday season? And why not go ahead and throw in a tip, "Sound Off" and possibly our most retweeted "last Word" story ever? Sure, let's do that and perhaps a little bit more in episode 33.

Somewhere between the post Apple Event aftermath and the pre Google Event hype lies episode 32. We get back to basics this week with a Listener Submission, a low vision game recommendation and a catchy bit of fluff in the "Last Word". Plus J.J. and Joe have a tip and some Twitter talk in "Sound Off".

Recorded just mere hours after the big Apple Event on September 9th, Joe brings in the big guns to talk about everything iDevice with Buddy Brannan and BBQ Regular Shelly Brizbin.
We've tossed the weekly news line up aside and dedicated the bulk of the show to our "Discussion Topic". Well, that and the "Last Word". With J.J. off this week, does that mean a food mention at the end of the show? uh, probably.

This week J.J. and Joe power through the week's news, show off a few things with a demo or two and the winners of the Jet competition are announced. Of course we also have Sound Off" and the "Last Word". This show may have been recorded as the last show of August, however, it airs as the first show of September. How amazingly "timey wimey" of us.

The news might be slowing down, until Apple's big reveals next month, yet our interview segments just keep getting better. This week, our newly self-named "Outstanding Legal Correspondent"," Tim Elder discusses some of the finer points of topics we've covered on the show this year. Additionally, we have a tip and feedback along with more food items in the "Last Word".

J.J. and Joe reconvene to discuss the news of the week, bring you an interesting interview about live audio description and J.J. has a tip that can assist you with those hard to make decisions. We also have "Sound Off" and the "Last Word" on deck. so tune in to see if lightning strikes twice and knocks Joe off the line in midsentence this week.

The much rested and relaxed J.J. and Joe are back from parts unknown to talk about recent news and events. They also bring word of a new project in an interview with Alex Jurgensen.
Plus, there is a very special appearance by Mr. Patrick Perdue on this very audio program. So tune in to hear "Sound Off", "Last Word" and details on a new giveaway from Jet.

Joe, J.J. and Patrick are taking some needed downtime after all the crazyness of the 2015 convention season. But before we say goodbye to the summer, here is a portion of the NFB A.T. Trainers Division meeting from July. Jenny Lineback leads a panel about NVDA with Rick Reed and BBQ contributor Chancey Fleet.

The second portion of our audio contains more discussion on Windows 10 with Ai Squared's marc Solomon.
We would like to thank the A.T. Trainers Division for allowing us to share this audio with our audience and we encourage our listeners to review the Division and Committees page to learn more about the various facets of the organization.

It is finally here! The day many have eagerly awaited, or dreaded as the case may be, has come upon us all with the release of Windows 10. Joe, Byron Lee and Rick Reed discuss thoughts and experiences with Microsoft's newest operating system. And, not just because J.J. is on vacation this week, the news cycle this week is bigger than usual as many celebrate the 25th birthday of the ADA. There are also the little matters of the "Last Word" and your feedback in "sound Off'. So get a pot of tea ready, it is one jam-packed episode of information!

The ability to use a dedicated video magnifier with off-the-shelf tablets opens up many possibilities for the person starting a new job or for the student on the go. The HIMS eBot is versatile and easy to carry. Listen to Michael Rowley use it to read aloud text and view objects at a distance in this audio presentation from the National Federation of the Blind 2015 Convention. And to learn more about the eBot Video Magnifier, visit the HIMS Inc website.

Blind Bargains would like to sincerely thank HIMS for their sponsorship of our 2015 NFB and ACB coverage! HIMS: "Your needs are our solutions". Check out the E-Bot Video Magnifier, the Blaze EZ reading solution, the new Smart Beetle Braille Display and more by visiting the HIMS website. Or, follow them on Twitter.

Dave Wilkinson hosts the third of three HIMS sessions, with a focus on the Blaze EZ and the new Blaze ET. In this recording you will hear Dave demonstrate the internet radio, OCR and color identifier features. He also discusses the available accessories for the Blaze line. And of course, since this is a session featuring Dave, almost anything can happen -- which is our way of saying that the questions from the audience are some of the best parts of any event with Dave! To learn more about the Blaze line, or any of the HIMS products, visit the HIMS website.

Blind Bargains would like to sincerely thank HIMS for their sponsorship of our 2015 NFB and ACB coverage! HIMS: "Your needs are our solutions". Check out the E-Bot Video Magnifier, the Blaze EZ reading solution, the new Smart Beetle Braille Display and more by visiting the HIMS website. Or, follow them on Twitter.

Dave Williams joins J.J. and Joe on a raucous journey through the stories not covered yet by BBQ due to our massive amount of audio coverage from the 2015 summer convention season. This might just be the most info-packed non-U.S.-centric show we have ever done. Of course, we still have our regular bits such as a tip, "Sound Off" and the "Last Word" to round things out.

Dave Wilkinson spoke to a large group of people from Salon 8 of the Rosen Center in Orlando at the NFB National Convention for the Blind. Tune in to hear Dave's description of the new Smart Beetle braille display, upcoming UEB changes and a demonstration of Bookshare you will not soon forget. There is also an informal Q and A with the crowd on Apple device connections as well. To learn more about the Smart Beetle, or any of the HIMS releases, visit the HIMS website.

Blind Bargains would like to sincerely thank HIMS for their sponsorship of our 2015 NFB and ACB coverage! HIMS: "Your needs are our solutions". Check out the E-Bot Video Magnifier, the Blaze EZ reading solution, the new Smart Beetle Braille Display and more by visiting the HIMS website. Or, follow them on Twitter.

Dave ran into his old mate Darren Paskell, from ACB Radio days, and was surprised about his current employment. Seems that Mr. Paskell is currently working with a French chain of restaurants who specialize in the "Dining in the Dark" concept. "Dans Le Noir" offers a limited menu but that hasn't stopped the eatery's patrons from enjoying an endless world of experiencing food and drink without visual cues. Dave gets the inside scoop on what it takes to serve others in this capacity. Also, he gets a few funny stories out of him on what can happen when you get a group of people together in this type of environment. Visit Dans Le Noir for more information on how you, too, can be a part of this dining trend.

Martin Roberts from Humanware gives Dave info on Keysoft, UEB and the improved math support on the Apex line of notetakers. The pair also discuss the "Open Field mode" of the Trekker Breeze Plus and just why you might want a standalone device for your GPS needs. To contact Humanware in the EU for questions or sales inquiries, email eu.sales@humanware.com or telephone 0193 341 5800.

Windows 10 begins the long road to it's rollout across 1 billion devices at the end of July 2015, and Dolphin stands ready. Ben Rendle gives Dave a status report on what to expect for those who want to be early adopters of the next operating system from Microsoft. No matter if you are a Screen Reader user, a Screen Magnifier user or a user of Dolphin Guide, Dolphin Computer Access has a product that will fit your needs.

Dave found Jen Bryant of Queen Alexandra College on the show floor sporting some nifty carbon fiber canes. Find out how Revolution Canes can assist you in looking stylish on your travels. To learn more, visit QAC on the web
or telephone 0121 428 5041.

Asking what is new at Sight and Sound is one daunting question. But Dave asked Glenn Tookey that amazing queery. Hear about the latest from Freedom Scientific, HIMS and View Plus just to name a few. then learn about new products on the way like the Mobile Touch Map. From hardware to software, with all the training and support services in between, there really isn't much you can't find in the field of Assistive Technology that is not at Sight And sound. Visit their website, or call 01604798000

Ever touched a talking watch? How about more than 30 types of them? Cobolt Systems offers a wide selection of talking watches, color identifiers and they even have a talking microwave/convection oven combination unit. But even more impressive is the newly released remote talking thermostat for your heating and cooling needs. no more crawling out of bed to nudge the tempature up or down a degree! Belinda Middleton gives Dave the remote in this interview from the show floor. Dave might just be in trouble if his wife hears this one. check out the full range of products from Cobolt systems by visiting their website or emailing them at sales@cobolt.co.uk. Or call them at 0149 370 0172.

Ian and David Bradburn speak about the opening of the Baum Retect UK office and the history of the Bradburns in Assistive Technology. Baum is very excited to bring their brands of Video magnification and Braille Displays to exhibitions around the UK this year. Come and learn more about the Vario Ultra Braille Displays and the Visio line of magnifiers. You can also visit the website, ,contact the UK office by email at info@baumuk.com or phone them at 0208 133 9432

The HIMS Smart Beetle might be made of magnets because people seem to be really drawn to it this convention season. And Dave also proved to be the rule rather than the exception as he fell under the spell of the unit too. Kerry Doyle, Braille Specialist for Sight And Sound, demonstrates the Smart Beetle and explains just why it is the brightest star in the summer sky.

Barry Richey and Steve Beevers explain the grass roots behind Blind Golfing. Do they recruit Dave into their ranks? Tune in to hear Dave take a swing at a growing sport. If you are interested in playing through, visit http://blindgolf.co.uk/

Many long-time users of JAWS may remember the name Blazie. But did you ever think you would hear it mentioned in the same breath with Apple's Voiceover? Dave caught up with Kelvin Duncan, of Blazie UK, to learn about the array of services offered by the company. Whether it is a custom set of scripts needed to access Skype for Business, or Voiceover training on the iPhone, the team at Blazie has hardware and software solutions that can help. Visit the company's website or you can contact Barry Webb at 0190 884 3680 to arrange a personal consultation.

Established in 1929, the British Wireless for the Blind Fund has made information and entertainment available, through accessible technology, to thousands in the UK.
The privately funded organization offers digital radios such as the DUET 2 and the CONCERTO 2. And for those who are connected to the internet, the SONATA PLUS internet audio player is also an option. Dave spoke to Simon Parsons about the history, and how fun it is to look to the future, of the Fund. For more information about purchasing a device, or to see if you qualify for a free player, visit the Fund's website. Or contact them by telephone at 0162 275 4757.

Dave explores the banking services of Barclay's with Parag Nandha as his guide to all things Chip and Pin. Talking ATM's, accessible statements as well as the availability of credit book and checkbook templates are just some of the services offered by the 1400 plus branches of Barclay's. The bank also has an app that uses beacons to provide banking staff more about you when you enter a bank location in case you desire more assistance with your financial experience. learn more about the accessibility services provided by the bank by visiting their website.

J.J. and Joe have returned home from their trip to Orlando and NFB's 75th. our contributor Chancey Fleet was also there in Florida but our guest Jeff Bishop attended the ACB convention in Dallas. All have joined together to review the week that was, minus Joe's thoughts on the San Diego Comic Con which also took place last week, our traditional convention wrap up show. Listen to what the team thought were the hits, the misses and the best of the resolutions put forth to both organizations.

Embossers can be loud. However even on the exhibit hall florr, they can't always be heard over the buzz of the attendees. So David Pillischer and joe found a quiet spot to demonstrate the quiet keyboard of the Cosmo for Braille input as well as its incredibly quiet embossing. David, with the help of Karen Navy from a remote location, demonstrates how the remote braille training program, BERT, works and explains a number of scenarios where the software could be beneficial. Learn more about the Cosmo E-Brailler and the companion BERT software by visiting the E-Brailler website.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of NFB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

Tom Dekker convinces Shelly to develop her "Ear Hand Cordination" through the use of iHabilitation's tactile books. These Braille books provide visual representations of many commonly used iOS screens for both iPhones and iPads. Work is currently underway for the upcoming iOS 9, however, you can find materials already on hand for older versions of iOS. To learn more, visit the iHabilitation website.

GPS is a wonderful thing ... unless you are indoors. It would sure be nice to have a way-finding option to navigate large events like the ACB convention with an iOS app. Oh wait, Shelly found one. Hear Dan Roberts give a walking demo of the Lowviz Guide app from inside the host hotel of the 2015 ACB National Convention. for locations that support it, you can download the app for free, and you can learn more about it by checking out the Lowviz Guide FAQ.

Joe is joined by Neal Kuniansky to talk about the latest version of Duxbury for Windows, which is fully compatible with Windows 10. Neal also shares some exciting news for Mac users, and it is hoped that Duxbury for Mac will ship before the end of the year. To learn more about Duxbury, visit the Duxbury Systems website or call (978) 692-3000.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of NFB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

Shelly caught up with Brad Davis to talk about the portable midline Topaz PHD. The PHD is available in both 12 and 15 inch models and retains much of the look and feel of the desktop editions of the Topaz. Both can use a four-hour battery, better yet, the battery is user replaceable. That means if you have more batteries, you can use the PHD away from an electrical outlet even longer. To learn more about this and other Freedom Scientific products, visit the Freedom Scientific website.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of ACB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

Jeff Bazer of dolphin informs us of a number of Dolphin products including Supernova, Guide, and Easy Reader and Producer, which are better than ever and fully ready for Windows 10. Jeff covers a few great features from each product, and mentions that 30-day trials are available for all Dolphin products. Read more and check out the available downloads by visiting yourdolphin.com. You can also contact Dolphin in North America by phone at (866) 797-5921.

Shelly caught up with Dan Weirich to talk about the status of the new Zoomtext Fusion. that's the upcoming release that features the Screen Magnifier Zoomtext fused to the Screen Reader Window eyes. Windows 10 is right around the corner and Ai Squared is getting ready. tune in to hear about what is coming up up for those users who decide to install Windows 10 in the product's initial launch window. Also, for those mac users out there, Cam Reader is available for the Mac OS. It makes a great companion to Zoomtext for mac. lastly, learn more about how companies are adopting Site Cues for reaching those who don't use traditional forms of Assistive Technology. Learn more about these products and more by visiting the AI Squared website.

Don Olson, quality assurance specialist for NLS, joins us to discuss the latest news regarding the library service. The much-anticipated Android app has recently been released, and the iOS app will soon see an update as well, and is currently in beta. Don also discusses upcoming new changes to the search feature of BARD on the web. For more information about the NLS BARD service, visit http://www.nlsbard.loc.gov.

Joe is joined by Mike May of Sendero Group to talk about the latest with the Uber ridesharing app. Mike shares tips for a better Uber experience, talks about the process of providing feedback to Uber, and discusses changes that might be forthcoming. If you have relevant information to share with Mike about your Uber experience, send him an email at mikemay@senderogroup.com. Uber support is also interested in hearing user experiences, which you can share by emailing support@uber.com.

Justin Fagel joins Shelly to show off the new Ace Plus OCR device, now from Freedom Scientific, on the Dallas exhibit hall floor. Hear a detailed description of the device, as well as the speed at which it scans, in this product that sports both features for low vision and braille display support. The device was previously branded by ABiSee and its home is now at Freedom Scientific. Find out more about this and other devices for blind and low vision by visiting the Freedom Scientific website.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of ACB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

The Prodigi line of products has recently seen an update to version 1.3 of the on board software. Shelly and Humanware's Patrick Wallace walk through some of the new features that come in v1.3 and discuss the new front panel shipping now on a couple of the prodigi models. Patrick also discusses the improvements that come with the updated Trekker Breeze Plus and outlines how those who have an older Trekker can gain the powers of the Plus via the update program. Learn about this and more from the Humanware website.

Tim Fleschner and Rita Sengupta from Eone Time join us to discuss the Bradley Timepiece, a watch designed for both the blind and sighted to tell time with accuracy and style. Tim describes how this unique timepiece works, and enumerates a number of colors and band options available. Following that, Rita shares the inspiration for the timepiece. You can learn more, and purchase a Bradley timepiece of your very own by visiting the Eone Time website.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of NFB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

Joe joins Ivar Illing and Stephan Terwolbeck to discuss the latest innovations in video magnifiers from Optelec. stefan explores the Clearview Plus, followed by a discussion with Ivar about the Traveler, which has been newly redesigned based on user feedback. Discover these and a number of other Optelec products by visiting the Optelec website or by calling 800-826-4200 for assistance in the U.S.

Joe catches up with Earle Harrison of Triumph Technologies to talk Braille and more. Triumph sells a number of high quality displays from Handytech, as well as other electronics including Bluetooth headphones and speakers. Learn more about Handytech and Triumph by visiting the Triumph Technologies website or by calling (651) 636-5184.
Blind Bargains coverage of NFB15 is generously sponsored by HIMS, Inc., home of the Blaze ET and the Smart Beetle Braille display. Enjoy our coverage? Access our Blind Bargains audio and more on your mobile device by visiting our apps page.

Larry Skutchan, Director of Technology Product Research at APH, joins us to discuss a number of exciting updates and a few new iOS apps. First, Larry discusses the free and fully accessible Nemeth tutorial, and then mentions upcoming updates to the TI84 talking calculator. finally, Larry shares exciting news about iOS ports of a few classic APH programs we all know and love. To learn more about these and other products from APH, visit aph.org or call (800) 223-1839.

Joe is jazzed to talk with Lisa Salinger of Blind Alive about the very popular backpack line that is getting rave reviews on social media. Lisa also mentions the gentle workout programs which are perfect for those who want to build up gradually to the more advanced workout programs. these workout options are self-paced and easy to learn. And for those who really want a challenge, check out the level 2 cardio options. Plus, for the month of July 2015 if you order a digital download through the Blind Alive website, you can save 10% off your purchase by using the promo code july2015.

HIMS Inc., where your needs are our solutions, has generously sponsored our coverage of NFB15. Learn about the E-bot magnifier, the Blaze line of DAISY players and the Smart Beetle Braille display by visiting the HIMS website. Want more audio like this? Check out our audio page for our weekly technology podcast and more.

It's the last show before J.J. and Joe jet off for summer conventions, however, there is still a lot to talk about prior to next week's big events. New products, new tutorials, a tip plus some fascinating feedback in "Sound Off". We also reveal our winner, and the identity of said voice, in the Secret Sound drawing. So pack a bag and prepare for the onslaught of information coming your way in episode 22!

The audio clubhouse seems to be a bit more crowded this week. Joe has returned to find his buddy J.J. in the midst of releasing version 2.0 of the Blind Bargains app for iOS. And to celebrate said app's release, it seems that Michael Doise and Steven Clower rolled up to the party in style with their canoe. Wait, that isn't right. Dave Williams showed up to the event with his Canute Braille Display. Yeah, that's what happened. Well that and a tip plus "Sound Off" and "Last Word" also happened. Along with a secret sound!

Wow, time certainly does fly, and it seems like only yesterday when we were recording our first, then-unnamed show. 20 episodes later and we now have a name, a bit of a format, and this week, a giveaway. With Joe still away (more on that in a bit), J.J. is joined by Ricky Enger, to talk about the latest AT news. We also learn about a new shopping app from Chris Maury of SayApps, Ricky tells us about a new way to mow your lawn, and much more.

Last week, Android news took center stage, but now it's time for Apple to have its bite. This week's Qast features J.J., Jamie Pauls, and Buddy Brannan on a mission to slice through the news from Apple's World Wide Developer Conference. Plus, Patrick gives us a cool tip about Field Test Mode and we learn about a smart garbage can? And don't fret, Joe will be back to grace our airwaves very soon.

Thankfully this week Joe is in the air, rather than swimming in the rising waters of Texas, so J.J. is in charge of this episode. And since it just happened to be the week of Google i/o at the time of this recording... why not bring aboard his old pals Access Ana and Steve Nutt to talk about all things Android and more.

This week Joe and J.J. prepare for the oncoming onslaught of tech that will arrive in the forms of Google i/O and Apple's WWDC. We have some great wrap up panels scheduled. So be sure to stay tuned to our feeds for episodes 18 and 19! However, before the cavalcade of announcements begin in earnest, this week the duo discuss your feedback and toss in a tip that will have you tapping your fingers to the beat of a different drummer.

The "Justice League" can't hold a candle to the podcasting might of our BBQ team this week. J.J. and Joe are joined by Chancy, Shelly and Ricky to bring you news and fun conversation that spans not just one week... Oh no! Nearly half of the year so far are summed up in our Discussion topic section. We also managed to cram in a tip plus your feedback and a meme-driven "Last Word".

We're excited to have Jenny Axler from HIMS International on the program this week. The Blaze ET is about to roll onto the launch pad. And we got some face time with Jenny to discuss that product in some detail. We also have news, Sound Off and the Last Word... but really... you came to hear about this new HIMS device right? Sure you did.

Welcome to our first in a line of Assistive Technology history specials. J.J. and Joe believe that having a firm foothold on our collective adaptive past ensures a well-grounded perspective on what technology holds for us in the future. With that in mind, our duo traveled to San Diego in March to capture some thoughts of those in the industry at the celebration of the 30th CSUN conference.

Did you hear that Apple has a new product shipping around the world? Something about a watch we think. Yeah, we are pretty sure it's a timepiece of some kind. So we flipped open our contacts apps and found someone we knew who had one on the way. Lo and behold, Michael Doise will stop by to talk about his new Apple Watch and tell us what he enjoys about the new accessory to your Apple driven life. We also have a tip, your feedback and what J.J. calls "pocket lint" in this week's "Last Word".

J.J. and Joe cover some of the past week's news and delve a bit more into Audio Description with "Daredevil". Mike May, from Sendero takes us along on a trip using the Uber ridesharring service. Plus we have a tip, your feedback in "Sound Off" and Easter leftovers? Oh, never mind, it is what J.J. calls this episode's "Last Word".

Our look at gaming continues, and who better to talk with JJ and Joe but Mr. Audyssey himself, Michael Feir.
Michael has been giving talks about games recently, he has started work on a book detailing the history of audio gaming and he is about to embark on the biggest adventure of them all with his impending marriage later this year. Since this is a Canadian wedding, poutine might be on the menu for the wedding reception. Or maybe not. However, Jenine Stanley shows us some of the best ways to cook potatoes in our demo segment. Plus we have a tip, your feedback and of course the odd story or two in the "Last Word" all coming up in episode 11!

What's in a name? Quite a lot, actually. For Superman and mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, it can define who he is and what he does depending on which persona he has adopted at any given time.
For Clint Eastwood and the classic Speghetti Westerns, the man with no name" signified that the movie's protagonist was powerful beyond a simple label or surname. Thanks to our amazing listeners, and their helpful comments on a recent survey, our little series has a moniker that not only rolls off the tongue easily, and trust us that helps in podcasting a lot, but it can mean a great many things when you hear it spoken. With that said, and thanks to Alex Hall for the suggestion, we are delighted to bring you episode 9 of the Blind Bargains Qast ... or BBQ!

Kurzweil 1000, the venerable desktop OCR program, celebrates the recent release of version 14. In this audio, Steve Baum, Vice President of Engineering at Kurzweil Education, takes us on a brief tour of version 14 and even discusses what we might expect in the future for K1000.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this special, join Dave Wilkinson, Business Development Manager, as he discusses a number of reading options from HIMS including the new Smart Beetle 14-cell Braille display supporting connections to multiple devices simultaneously. In addition, Dave discusses the Blaze EZ and ET portable DAISY players including OCR support. We thank HIMS for their generous sponsorship of our CSUN 2015 coverage. To learn more about the latest from HIMS, you can visit the HIMS website, and you can also follow HIMS on Twitter and check out their Facebook page.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this special, join James McCarthy, President of HIMS Inc. as he discusses the E-Bot portable video magnifier. The unit allows for reading, writing, and near and distance viewing, and the advanced models have OCR support. The unit has a number of options for displaying materials, including a standard monitor, an iPad, and an Android tablet demonstrated here. We thank HIMS for their generous sponsorship of our CSUN 2015 coverage. To learn more about the latest from HIMS, you can visit the HIMS website, and you can also follow HIMS on Twitter and check out their Facebook page.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Jet lag, day light saving and then an Apple event on top of all that. It's been one wild week and a half for JJ,Joe and Jeff. It is a good thing that Jamie came along to keep everyone on task this go around as the group sits down to cover some of the highlights in the world of Assistive Technology. We'd like to thank our partners at AFB,Blindy.TV and HIMS Inc. for their support in bringing you audio and stories from sunny San Diego and CSUN 2015.

In this interview, we speak with Marie Tranbahuy, Managing Director for the UK branch of Claria. Marie demonstrates a Nexus 5 phone modified with both a hardware overlay and customized software including basic functionality such as phone and email applications, as well as blindness-specific applications like GPS and a DAISY reader. A version is available for both blind and low vision users, and you can learn more from the Claria website, or from their U.S. distributor Odin Mobile.

Find all our conference coverage on our audio page, and don't forget to subscribe to our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you enjoy our Blind Bargains Audio? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, Gian Wild, CEO of Accessibility Oz, joins us to talk about a number of accessibility tools and testing procedures from her company. Accessibility Oz conducts both automated and user-based testing for its clients, and also provides them with tools and training which enable them to ensure accessibility independently. To learn more about Accessibility Oz, including the fully accessible Oz Player for videos, visit the Accessibility Oz website.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Sabra Pressman, Meaningful Access Specialist for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, joins us to discuss the process for obtaining a free currency reader. On the BEP website, you'll find the online application for receiving the reader, as well as links to the iOS and Android currency identification apps. To learn more, visit http://www.bep.org

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Larry Skutchan, director of Technology Product Research, joins us to talk about a number of products of interest available from APH. Most recently, APH has released a free, cross-platform Nemeth tutorial for use by students and teachers interested in learning Nemeth code. Additionally, Larry talks a bit about other products such as the accessible TI-84 Plus calculator,Nearby Explorer and more. You can learn about these, plus a wealth of other technology and information on offer from APH by visiting the APH website.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Jarek Wiazowski, International Sales and Support for Harpo, takes a few moments to talk about and demonstrate the new Mountbatten Whisper. The unit is built to be much quieter than a standard Brailler, and includes Bluetooth for interface with an app available for iOS, Android and Mac. The app allows for real-time print-to-Braille and Braille-to-print translation so students and teachers can interact effectively. Humanware is the exclusive distributor for the device in the U.S. and Canada, and you can also read more on the Harpo international website or visit the Harpo Facebook page.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, shows off the shiny new Phoenix embosser for Braille and tactile graphics. Turns out the unit isn't made of gold, which might be a bit heavy anyway, but it is packed with features and includes the Firebird software suite. The gold edition is priced the same as the silver edition, and you can learn more about it and other high quality Braille embossers by calling (800) 777-3687, or by visiting the Enabling Tehcnologies website.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Cory Hanosh from North State AT tells us about a revolutionary new product, aptly named the Revolution. This device functions as a CCTV, with the unique addition of an Android tablet serving as a touch screen and providing access to the Google Play Store and more. A basic and professional version of the device exist, and the best way to learn more is to call the company toll free at (877) 682-0452. You can also visit the North State AT website but note that at the time of this recording it is still under construction.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, we hear from Christine Murphy Peck, CEO of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. This organization aims to connect like-minded accessibility professionals with each other, as well as provide accessibility workshops and certifications. IAAP plans their first annual conference later in 2015 in Las Vegas, and members will receive a discounted registration price. To learn more about IAAP and sign up for a student or associate membership, visit the IAAP website.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoying our coverage of CSUN15? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Jim Gashel, Chief Technology Officer of KNFB LLC, talks a bit about the success of the KNFB Reader app since its launch in september and gives us a quick look at the future roadmap of the app. A number of improvements are slated for inclusion in the iOS version, and an Android prototype is in active development for future availability on that platform. You can get the iOS app for $99, and you can visit the KNFB Reader website for information and support.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, Rena Takiguchi, International Sales and Purchasing Representative for Amedia, gives us a quick look at the iYomube app for OCR on iOS. This app is meant to be used with streett signs and the like, and can also be used to OCR standard printed pages. You can get the app for $29 in the app store, and you can visit the Amedia website to learn more about Amedia's products.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Lori Berkey, Customer Support and Marketing Associate from ABiSee joins us to talk about the latest features on the Eye-Pal Ace Plus. This unit is much like the Ace, but with wi-fi capability. It has now been updated to include support for NFB Newsline, and has been slightly redesigned to support a user-replaceable battery. For more information about this and many other products for blind and low vision users, visit the ABiSee website or call (855) 354-4080.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Chad Hazen, Director of community outreach from AccessaMed, demonstrates the Digital Audio label. The label is attached to a prescription by your pharmacy, requires no additional device, and speaks all information contained on a printed prescription just by touching the button on the label. Learn more about AccessaMed and find out how to approach your pharmacy for participation by visiting AccessaMed.com.

Find all our conference coverage on our audio page, and don't forget to subscribe to our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you enjoy our Blind Bargains Audio? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Gordon Fuller, Senior Managing Director of Cavu, joins us to talk about a number of concepts for improving the ability to explore the world and everything in it. From technology for indoor mapping and navigation to advertising and taking advantage of existing accessibility in various venues, Gordon discusses his current research and future plans for himself and his company. Visit the Cavu website for information on forthcoming products, existing case studies on a variety of topics, and much more.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, Werner Han of Solutions Radio joins us to talk about the fully redesigned Webbox2. This is a successor to the Iris Radio, and allows for a variety of content such as Internet radio, podcasts and NLS Bard material to be played through the speaker without the use of a computer. You can learn more and purchase the device by visiting the Webbox2 website.

Find our conference coverage and weekly podcast on our audio page, and discover how to access our content from your mobile devices by visiting our apps page. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, Marc Solomon, sales engineer for Site Cues joins us for a discussion and demonstration of the product. A number of improvements have been made since the program's launch over a year ago, and we hear about a number of sites successfully utilizing the technology. Learn more by visiting the Site Cues web site, or by calling the AISquared main number at ((802) 362-3612.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this interview, Ambutech president Gord Hudek discusses a variety of canes, holsters and other accessories available from Ambutech. He also introduces the new disk tip, which allows for safe and comfortable cane travel in rough terrain. You can find more information about this and other products by visiting the Ambutech web site or by calling (800) 561-3340.

Find more great coverage like this on our audio page, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Nick Lum, CEO of Beeline Reader, joins us to talk about several tools which use a color gradient to guide your eyes from one line to the next for easier and faster reading. These tools function exclusively in a browser, so no download or installation is required. All these tools are currently available for free online, and the company can also be reached on Twitter and Facebook.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Glen Dobbs, president of LoganTech describes the completely redesigned 6dot Braille label maker. The unit will begin shipping in May, now contains a powered option in addition to operating on battery power, and much more. Learn more and preorder your unit at 6dot.com.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you like what you hear on our podcasts and conference coverage? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Paul Warner, founder and head developer for VICT Consultancy joins us to discuss and demonstrate ATPrime, a program which makes controls in Windows applications easily accessible to all users, regardless of which screen reader they use. In this interview, Paul demonstrates some of the most common issues that make applications inaccessible or difficult to use, and shows how ATPrime eliminates these barriers to access. The product is expected to be released in the last quarter of 2015, and you can keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting the VICT Consultancy website.

Find all our conference coverage on our audio page, and don't forget to subscribe to our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Do you enjoy our Blind Bargains Audio? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Earle Harrison, president of Triumph Technologies and distributor for Handy Tech, joins us to talk about the new Active Star Braille display. The unit has a tray for use with laptops, will soon support housing a tablet inside, and even allows midi music composition and playback. Earle demonstrates this feature, and also discusses the Handy Tech Start Stick containing all necessary software and drivers for Handy Tech displays. To learn more about this and other Handy Tech products, call (651) 636-5184 or visit the Triumph Technologies website.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoying our coverage of CSUN15? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Greg Stilson, product manager for Braille and GPS at Humanware, joins us to talk about the updated version of the Trekker Breeze GPS device. Greg discusses the hardware and a few of the new features found in the Trekker Breeze Plus, as well as the ability for existing Breeze users to upgrade to the latest unit, to be released within the next couple months. For specific information on the Trekker Breeze Plus, visit http://www.humanware.com/breeze

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoying our coverage of CSUN15? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

In this extended interview with Mick Curran, executive director of NV Access, we cover a wide range of topics, including the use of NVDA in a corporate environment, remote access, and new math support through partnership with Design Science in the latest release. We also take a closer look at the organizational structure of NV Access, discuss corporate and individual donations, and explore current and future speech synthesis options for use with NVDA.

Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2015 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind. Enjoy our Podcasts? You can help us out by taking this very short survey.

Joe and JJ have had just about enough of ice and snow for one winter season. That is why they are excited to jet off to the west coast for CSUN 2015 next week. But, before they do, they wrangled in Shelly Brizbin to the program to talk "iOS Access For All", that book you may have heard us mention a few times in regards to our "Name the Show" saga. And the saga continues as you will see in the "Sound Off" section. Tune in to learn more about that, a Listener contributed demonstration of a neat service that might be able to earn you some pocket change, an Android tip and lots more in episode 7.

The wild winter weather continues. However, we have one hot podcast on hand to keep you warm. In this episode we feature the second portion of our interview with Brian Hartgen, a look at an accessible smartwatch with Nimer Jaber and helping us out with it all is the fantastic Lisa Salinger. Tips, feedback and our survey with the finalists in the naming competition round out the show. So find a hot beverage, or dust off that old Snuggie, and join us for the sounds of the pre CSUN season.

The lull between ATIA and CSUN is always the calm before the storm for watchers of the ebb and flow of the world of Assistive Technology. As JJ and Joe begin their mad plans to assault San Diego, Rick Harmon joins the duo to discuss the saving of an audio historical internet landmark.

Joe is still full from the big Super Bowl feeding frenzy and J.J. is pooped from partying at ATIA. So it's a darn good thing we have Liam Erven here this week to veg out on the virtual couch. And look! He brought his talking Comcast X1 box with him. We'll take a listen to what the box says, hear a review sent in from one of our listeners and we'll hear more show name suggestions in the "Sound Off" section. But first...

Dolphin's Guide product, which introduced a Bookshelf feature in version 9, now includes support for additional sources including NLS books and NFBNewsline publications. Jeff Bazer, Sales Manager for Dolphin Computer Access, joins us to talk about the new features and the latest developments in Guide in this podcast. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

The ClearView C is a new desktop magnification system from Optelec which is especially suited for reading larger items such as newspapers more efficiently. Stephan Terwolbeck, President of Optelec, explains what the "C" stands for and gives an overview of the unit in this podcast. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

The Smart Beetle is a new 14-cell braille display from Hims, so-named because it can connect simultaneously to up to six devices at a time. Dave Wilkinson, Regional Sales Manager for Hims, joins us to talk about the new display as well as a preview for the new Blaze ET digital media player. He also addresses the recent delays in obtaining NLS support for the Blaze line. We've got many more interviews from ATIA 2015, so be sure to check our audio page for these as well as our new weekly podcast, featuring the latest in technology and beyond.

Window-Eyes 9 was a hot item at this year's ATIA conference, and so was a brief mention of integrating screen reading features in AI Squared's Zoomtext magnification suite. Jeremy Curry, Director of Product Management for AI Squared, joins us and explains what's new with this release and also addresses the recent security breach at the company. This is just one of the many interviews we've posted from ATIA 2015. Be sure to check our audio page for these as well as our new weekly podcast, featuring the latest in technology and beyond.

On the surface, The Topaz PHD looks like other desktop video magnifiers but it also can fold up into a compact package that resembles an oversized laptop. Brad Davis, Vice President for Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific, joins us to discuss the latest in magnification from the company in this ATIA 2015 interview. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

On the heels of the wildly successful Voice Dream Reader, the company is back with a new app which aims to bring text editing to the next level on the iPhone. Winston Chen, founder and developer of Voice Dream joins us to talk a bit about the company and some of the features which set Voice Dream Writer apart from other text editors. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

Signaids has been making accessible signage for many years, but now they're offering a way to make these signs accessible to a wider audience using near field communication (NFC) technology. To learn more, we spoke with Robert Brooker, owner of Signaids who gives us a demonstration of the technology and talks about some of the potential modern uses for enhanced signage. We've got many more interviews from ATIA 2015, so be sure to check our audio page for these as well as our new weekly podcast, featuring the latest in technology and beyond.

The VOXbox is a all-in-one OCR system which reads printed pages in about 5 to 7 seconds using a variety of voices and languages. Melissa Balbach, owner of reinecker Vision gives a hands-on demo and overview of this new OCR system and also describes the Mezzo Desktop/portable video magnifier in this interview. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

LS&S was doing a lot of talking at ATIA, but many of their products were talking more, including a new talking braille watch. In this interview, we spoke with LS&S Senior Account Manager Jason Neeland who gives us a quick overview of some of the latest products from the company. Be sure to check our audio page for more exhibit hall coverage, and check out our new weekly podcast for news and features about technology and beyond.

Microsoft dominated the headlines with the sneak peek at the next chapter in the Windows saga. However, we did manage to find news and conversation that was non-Windows-related. J.J. is out on assignment, i.e. heading towards sunny Florida and our ATIA 2015 coverage, so please try not to wish him ill thoughts in that over 65-degree climate zone he will be visiting. He is there for work after all... we hope. Helping Joe with the news this week is Rodney Edgar, from Tech Access Weekly, and Byron Lee, from Low Vision Rants. Plus we have a review by our own Patrick Perdue on a pretty spiffy new Bluetooth keyboard. Now find a warm beverage of your choosing, crawl under a warm covering of some kind and enjoy our third episode. And try not to think about J.J. enjoying the sun and a swimming pool.

"So... we were worried that January would be a slow news month for the launch of our new podcast series. Seems we didn't have to worry after all about that as we have a ton of news to talk about this week. And who better to discuss it all with J.J. and Joe than the incomparable Chancey Fleet.
This week we have a demo of some new voices for Android, two great discussion topics and some early podcast names in our bag of mail section. Also, if you were thinking about a name for our show, one lucky commenter will win a copy of Shelly Brisbin's brand new book, iOS Access for All. Listen to learn how. Or, if you can't wait for us to choose a name, run out and get the book now from the official site.

Welcome everyone to the first show of our new weekly series that discusses what's new and notable from all around the net. Joe and J.J. welcome Ricky Enger aboard this initial episode to talk about what happened at CES. Also, she hangs out during our interview with Be My Eyes's' Thelle Kristensen. Be My Eyes just launched in the U.S. iOS App Store and it is worth a spin.

Welcome to this Blind Bargains Audio exclusive, where we take a look back at what big stories impacted the Blindness and Low Vision community in the field of Assistive Technology in 2014. This year J.J. Meddaugh, Jeff Bishop, Jamie Pauls and Joe Steinkamp discuss there voting decisions for the top 10 stories and add some commentary on the year that was. Our panel discusses trends in 2014, and we even wax nostalgic by reviewing what made our list back in 2009. You might be surprised about what has and hasn't changed over the last five years!

When I was a kid, I found that I learned concepts much more efficiently by touch. Wolf Products produces a line of boards for students learning math which makes learning complex concepts much easier. The Math Window is a magnetic board with hundreds of braille tiles representing everything form simple numbers and operators to complex algebra and geometry symbols. To learn more, we spoke with Roger Wolf, President of Wolf Products, who explains how their tools can benefit learners in a variety of math classes. This podcast was recorded at the Michigan AER Conference in Livonia.

We often talk about educational technology that costs thousands of dollars, but sometimes the best learning aids can be purchased for the price of an inexpensive meal. My Braille Cell is a simple tool for teaching braille to children and adults using blocks and wooden pegs. We spoke with Lillian Quickley, CEO of Small Bizness Research and Development, who explains how a simple learning tool can benefit those learning braille. This podcast was recorded at the Michigan AER Conference in Livonia.

We're often impressed by the work of NPR Labs displayed at the CSUN conference in bringing radio to new and often overlooked audiences. This year at their booth, technology to provide emergency alerts to the deaf-blind via radio was being demonstrated. Maryfran Tyler, Senior Director of Enterprise Strategies and Planning for NPR, tells us more in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Perkins Products was demonstrating some new products for low-vision users as well as early learners. The ZoomCapture is a lens that connects to a laptop to provide visual feedback, especially while in class while the LightAid is a tool for early learners which provides games and activities using differing light paterns. Joe Martini, Director for Assistive Technology at Perkins Products, joins us to talk about these products as well as Perkins distributing the Odin VI cell cell phone in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Finding new and innovative ways to present visual information has been an ongoing challenge over the years. Tactalis is a new company which is using magnets moved around an LC screen to present spacial and other information to a blind user. Tactalis Ceo Douglas Hagedorn joins us to explain his vision for the technology and how it all works in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Job Accomodation Network has served as a resource for employers and jobseekers alike since the 1980's, and now they've expanded their offerings with a live online chat service for gaining necessary job information. In this podcast, Chancey Fleet speaks with JAN Co-Director Louis Orslene and Employment services specialist Jason Olen to learn about the details for the chat system and how JAN may be of benefit to someone seeking accomodations for their career. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Harpo was at CSUN 2014 showing off the latest updates to the BraillePen 12 Touch including a one-handed mode for input as well as an updated Mountbatten brailler called the Braille Whisperer. Jarek Wiazowski, Expert Manager at Harpo Poland, joins us to explain both of these new products in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

You may recognize the name Wordpress from reading your favorite blog, but it's actually a very flexible platform for web publishers and now, thanks to some dedicated individuals, a more accessible platform for website developers. Joseph Karr O'Connor, an accessibility consultant who is also heavily involved with the Wordpress accessibility team, joins us to explain what the team is doing to make Wordpress a more accessible platform both for users and site administrators. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

At first glance, we thought we had found a new Milestone from Bones, but the company was actually showing off a new alarm clock and timer for the deaf-blind using the same shell and vibration feedback. To learn more, we spoke with Bones Managing Director Stephan Knecht who gives us a demonstration of the Helen Vibrating Clock in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

You may not have heard of Microsoft SharePoint, but it's one of the most widely used collaboration tools used amongst large organizations including most of the Federal government. We spoke with Bruce Stover, Chief Marketing Officer for Discover Technologies, who explains how their company is bringing access to this widely-used program for both users and administrators. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

En-Vision America has been selling their I.D. Mate line of bar code scanners since 1997, and their latest model, the I.D. Mate Quest, looks quite a bit different in both form and function than the first version. To update us on the latest with the Quest, Chancey Fleet spoke with David Raistrick, Vice President for Envision America, who talks about the history of the I.D. Mate and some of the latest features. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

64 Ounce Games is currently running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to purchase equipment to make a variety of board games accessible to blind people. They've already reached their initial goal, and additional donations will help them to produce materials for even more titles. To learn more, we spoke with Richard Gibbs, Owner and Lead Designer of 64 Ounce Games, to learn about his passion for board games and what the company is doing to bring board games to an entire new group of people.

The National Braille Press is accepting nominations for its 2014 Touch of Genius prize, which awards up to $20,000 for software or hardware in four different categories. This year's deadline is April 15. Chancey Fleet talks to National Braille Press President Brian MacDonald to learn about the new focus for the prize and more about the award in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

After 20 years, one of the most popular software programs for Windows is becoming accessible for the first time. Intuit's recent accessibility efforts along with a collaboration with My Blind Spot have led to improved access to QuickBooks 2014 with screen readers. To learn more, we spoke with Intuit's Cheryl Aranha, Ted Drake, and Lori Samuels and My Blind Spot's Albert Rizzi in this extended podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Access to mathematical equations is getting a whole lot easier, thanks to the efforts of Design Science and their MathPlayer application. One of the leading peple behind this effort is Sina Bahram, President of Prime Access Consulting, who joins us to give a demonstration of accessible math equations using Window-Eyes 8.4 and the MathPlayer plug-in for Microsoft Word. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Lime Lighter from Dancing Dots has become more versatile with some new configurations to meet a variety of music needs including a model which sits on an existing keyboard stand to provide magnified sheet music. Bill McCann, Founder and President of Dancing Dots, joins us to talk about these devices and how they are making music more accessible to students and professionals. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Hims caught many people's attention at CSUN with Big E, but the real E that is for sale is their new E-bot video magnifiers which feature support for WIndows and APple tablets. James McCarthy, President of Hims in Austin, joins us to give a demonstration of the device and how it might benefit low-vision users in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Like many others, Aumed is updating its video magnifiers to new HD versions to take advantages of advancements in technology. In this podcast, AUmed Senior Consultant Cory Hanosh joins us to discuss the LaView, a 22-inch HD desktop magnifier which aims to compete on price. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Version 11.2 of the Duxbury braille translation software was recently released and includes, among other features, the ability to input Nemeth notation and have it translated to print. Neal Kuniansky, Director of Sales and Marketing for Duxbury Systems, joins us to discuss the latest developments with the software and the progress of their product for the mac in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Issist, the company behind the iZoom magnification software for windows, is delving into the world of mobile apps including Mercury, a suite of android apps to offer magnification, OCR, and other functions. Namita Joshi, Marketing Manager for iSsist joins us in this podcast to talk about the company's direction, their choice of Android as a platform, and some of the features and pricing for the software. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Enabling Technologies is updating their venerable flagship braille embossers with a sleek new design and more modern capabilities. The Cyclone is a single-sided embosser which updates the Romeo while the Trident, an interpoint embosser, will likely replace the Juliet. Enabling Technologies President Tony Schenk joins us to talk about the features and availability of these embossers in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Since the introduction of wireless support for the 2nd generation Victor Stream from HumanWare, many additional features have been added to take advantage of this capability including Internet radio support, Bookshare downloads, and support for online reference sources. We welcome back Matthew Janusauskas, Product Manager for Digital Talking Book Products for HumanWare, who discusses the latest updates for the stream and what might be on the horizon in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Eye-Pal Ace Plus is the latest in portable OCR solutions from ABISee and, along with the other models in this series, includes braille output to several displays. Lori Berkey, Customer Support and Marketing Associate for ABISee, joins us to tell us more and give a demonstration on this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

DO-IT stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology and is an organization headquartered at the University of Washington which supports teens and adults who are blind as they enter into high-tech fields. Sheryl Burgstahler, Director of Accessible Technology Services at the University of Washington, and Mamoru Iwabuchi from the University of Tokyo explain more about the program and how it benefits blind teens and adults. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Capti is an iPhone app which allows you to read news, blogs, and other content while walking, driving, or anywhere where you would prefer a hands-free experience. Plus, the app is now free. Charmtech Labs President and CEO Yevgen Borodin joins us to give an update on the Capti product and demonstrate some of the new features. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Dolphin continues to update its screen reading and magnification solutions and was demonstrating some new touch-screen magnification capabilities in its booth. Jeff Bazer, U.S. Sales Manager for Dolphin, joins us to talk about the latest with SuperNova and Guide in this podcast and tells us how to win a Dell touch-screen tablet. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AI Squared has been making many improvements to its venerable ZoomText screen magnification software including some new speech support for its Mac product. But why would you add speech to ZoomText for Mac when VoiceOver already is on every computer? We spoke with Derek Bove, Technical Product Manager for AI Squared, to talk about the latest with ZoomText and the nuts and bolts of AI Squared's new Sitecues tool for web publishers.in Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Baum has been around for roughly 35 years but has now decided to open an office in the United States. Meanwhile, the VisioBook S is the latest version of their compact video magnifier and it was introduced to the world at CSUN. David Bradburn, President of BAUM USA, joins us to talk about the company's direction and their latest products in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

IRIE AT, as the national distributors for Alva braille displays in the UNited States, was demonstrating the new Alva Comfort, a 40-cell braille display which includes 4GB of memory and a built-in copy of the NVDA screen reader. Also, the EasyLink 12 Touch is an update to the former EasyLink braille display which now will include optical routing buttons. In this podcast, IRIE AT Service Technician Holly Stowell joins us to talk about these new displays and some of the features they include. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

We've never interviewed a robot before for one of our podcasts, but Hims gave us the opportunity to talk to Big E, their booth mascot. We talked with him? her? it? to learn why they were at CSUN and to check out their moves. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Optelec was showing its recently-released Compact Touch HD, a portable video magnifier which is operated using touchscreen gestures. To learn more, we spoke with Charlie Collins, Director of Sales for the Eastern United States with Optelec, who explained its usage and design. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The reach of the ScripTalk perscription labeling system became much larger this week as En-Vision America forged a deal with CVS to make the technology available for its mail-order prescription service. To learn more, Chancey Fleet spoke with David Raistrick, Vice President for En-Vision America, who talks about the partnership and other new features of the system. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Honest Vision introduced a new computer and camera system which featured a screenless Windows 7 laptop and an attached camera to perform optical character recognition. We spoke with HOnest Vision President Young Cho and Engineer Luan DIns to learn more and get a live demo of the product. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Sight Enhancement Systems is updating their line of SciPlus scientific calculators to include graphing support in both low-vision and speech versions. In addition, a new version of the SceneEye, called the SceneEye 500, improves upon their desktop distance magnifying solution. We spoke with the new president of Sight Enhancement Systems, Rob Hilkes, to learn about the company's latest products in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Optelec unveiled two new desktop video magnifiers at CSUN including the ClearNote HD, a close-up and distance model which uses software on a Windows 8.1 computer and a touch-screen interface. Stephan Terwolbeck, President of Optelec, explains all about them in this audio podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

GW Micro made big news earlier this year when they announced a partnership with Microsoft to provide a free copy of Window-Eyes to owners of Microsoft Office 2010 and newer. But what will this mean for the screen reader going forward and for long-time or new users? To dig deeper, we spoke with Jeremy Curry, GW Micro's Director of Training, to get some of the nuts and bolts of the partnership and a taste of what will be in Window-Eyes 9. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The INternational Association of Accessibility Professionals is a new membership organization seeking to unite and act as a resource for professionals in the accessibility field. In this podcast, IAAP board President Rob Sinclair and CEO David Dikter spent a few moments with us to explain the idea and goals for the organization and how you can get involved. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

iBeacons are one of the new methods for conveying information to consumers especially while indoors, and Apple's recent support for the technology has helped to expand their usage over the past year. Gordon Fuller, CEO of Accessible Help, talks about his vision for the future of indoor navigation and what his company is doing to see it through in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Code Factory surprised many at CSUN by announcing the development of a version of the ETI Eloquence speech synthesizer for Android. We checked in with Code Factory Sales Director Melanie Endres for a live demo and to learn of what else the company is up to in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Hims came into this year's CSUN conference with a bang, announcing the Blaze EZ, the successor to the BookSense digital media player. The Blaze EZ includes wireless capabilities and optical character recognition for reading printed documents. We spoke with Dave Wilkinson, Business Development Manager for Hims, who gave us a first look and live demo of the device. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Tooteko is a new company who was exhibiting at the AFB Leadership Conference who specialize in 3d-printed replicas of buildings, objects, and places which also include audio descriptions using a wireless headset. It's one of the new ways that companies are trying to increase accessibility of museums and other public spaces. In this podcast, we learn more from Gilda Lombardi from Tooteko who explains how the technology works and where they see it being used the most.

TapTapSee, a simple app for recognizing images using both computer-generated and human methods, is perhaps one of the most popular downloads for the blind on the iPhone App Store. Last week, the American Foundation for the Blind recognized the achievements of their developers by giving an AFB Access Award to the company. In this podcast, we spoke with Image Searcher CEO Dominik Mazur and CTO Brad Folkens to learn about how the app came to fruition and to get a glimpse of their future development plans. We also discuss the recent change in pricing models and how that may play out going forward.

Welcome to Sczweck on Tech, a new podcast featuring the latest and greatest in assistive technology. In this episode, Dale Sczweck discusses the accessibility of smart watches including the Pebble and the Samsung Galaxy Gear. His findings, especially for low vision users, may surprise you. Dale Sczweck is an assistive technology trainer from Illinois. Reach out to Dale, on Twitter at @betteroffdale.

We're back with another rapid fire guide to the latest accessibility changes in iOS 7. This time, assistive technology trainer Dale Schweck guides us through the features and options of interest to low vision users in under 7 minutes. In case you missed it, we did a similar podcast for VoiceOver users earlier this week.

A lot has changed in iOS version 7 but we realize you may not have hours upon hours to listen to dozens of podcasts on every new feature. So we've created the quick and dirty audio guide to what's new in VoiceOver with this latest release. Join assistive technology trainer Dale Schweck as he gives you a 7 minute summary of the new and exciting features of iOS 7. Low vision users, we'll have a similar podcast coming for you soon.

Blind Bargains provided wall to wall coverage of CSUN 2013, featuring interviews and hands-on demonstrations from some of the biggest names and companies in the industry. But not surprisingly, things didn't always go as planned. We now present to you the rest of CSUN 2013.

The highly-anticipated next generation of Humanware's Victor Reader Stream is now shipping and includes several new features including wireless capabilities, USB charging, and a smaller size. In this podcast, we speak with Victor Reader Product Manager Matthew Janusauskas to get a hands-on demonstration of some of the new features including the new built-in voices. We also discuss some of the potential features planned for the free firmware updates including expanded use of the wireless chip and an update on Audible support. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

A new online book will soon be published offering an up-to-date and detailed guide to all accessibility features available on iOS devices. Those purchasing iOS Access for All which is expected to cost less than $10, will also receive free updates as new features are introduced. The effort is lead by experienced Freelance writer Shelly Brisbin who joins us to talk about her experience and her plans for the book in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Learning Ally has begun to add text to some of their audio recordings, allowing for readers to both listen to and read several hundred books in their collection. Terrie Noland, National Director of Professional Development and State Initiatives for Learning Ally, joins us to explain how these new services work on this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Dancing Dots has created a new set of braille music tutorials using the Talking Tactile Tablet called Music Touch. Bill McCao wnn, President and founder of Dancing Dots, tells us more and gives us an audio demonstration of the tutorials in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Alexandra Vision was showing a new line of elegant vibrating pocket watches which can be used to check the time by touch. Helene Richardot, Marketing and Sales Manager for Alexandra Vision, tells us more and shows us how the watch functions in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AI Squared has now released their first version of ZoomText for the Mac and it offers many accessibility features which PC users have come to expect from magnification software. Meanwhile, the ZoomText ImageReader is AI Squared's document camera solution for the PC and works with both ZoomText or a screen reader to provide OCR capabilities. Derek Bove, Technical Product Manager for AI Squared, tells us all about the latest hardware and software from AI Squared in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Logickeyboard offers full-size keyboards which include large print symbols for easier viewing for those with low vision. This year at CSUN they featured a new Bluetooth model along with a LogicLight, a usb peripheral for illuminating a keyboard. Sales Director Howard Chan joins us on this podcast to tell us more about the company and their latest offerings. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Bookshare has eliminated the need to download books in order to read them by offering a browser-based book reader compatible with most browsers. In addition, some new bookshelf features allow you to organize your favorite titles for easy retrieval. We speak with Allison Hilliker, Collection Development Associate for Bookshare, to learn about the latest developments with the service in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

LookTel continues to release new apps for the iPhone including a new free VoiceOver tutorial. They also continue work on their Breadcrumbs GPS app and are planning to take the company nonprofit. To learn about all of this, we speak with Cara Quinn, Software Developer for Looktel, in this audio interview. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Braille Institute offers several iOS apps for free including a web browser for low-vision users, an app which simulates various eye diseases, and an application directory focusing on accessible apps. To learn more about these apps and a local information service they manage, we speak with Administrative Assistant Eliza Burmester and Reader Services Coordinator and BARD Administrator Brian Albriton in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Code Factory continues to update its Mobile Accessibility software for Android devices, which is now free on several U.S. carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. We speak with Ferran Gallego, Chief Technology Officer for Code Factory, to learn about the latest features of the screen reader in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The B2G, the forthcoming notetaking/PDA solution from the National Braille Press and Deane Blazie, is on its way to being released, perhaps as early as this fall. It'll feature the latest Android operating system and a likely cost of under $2,500 for a 20-cell unit. In this podcast, Brian MacDonald, President of National Braille Press, gives us an update on the project and also how you can win up to $20,000 for developing apps. We also get an update on their research with full-page braille displays. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Sight Compass is a new technology which gives travelers information about their environment at a short range using wireless technology, without the need for a phone signal or a data connection. The free app is currently available for the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 and will soon come to Android, Windows and other platforms. Briggs Cunningham, one of the inventors of Sight Compass, gives us a live demo of how the technology works in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Nearby Explorer is a fully-featured advanced GPS solution which was recently released for Android smartphones by the American Printing House for the blind. It includes many advanced features common to accessible GPS solutions including virtual navigation and custom points of interest as well as some new options and functions including public transit integration. We went outside with Technology Project Leader Larry Skutchan to get a hands-on demonstration of the software and some of its latest features. We also ask about the possibility of an iOS version and talk about possibilities with indoor navigation. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The makers of the Seika braille displays were displaying some tactile artwork drawn by blind Japanese students, using a pen-shaped device called the Pico which transfers balls of wax into raised lines. Hideaki Kaneko, president of Nippon Telesoft explains how it works in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Milestone 112 is the latest in the Bones line of digital audio recorders and is now their low-end model, focusing primarily on digital recording. We speak with Robert Kempf, Product Manager for Bones, to learn about the device and the latest with the company in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The TactileView Tactile Graphic Design Software allows you to print a wide variety of graphics and images on to most modern embossers, and can also be used with a custom tablet to create images accessibly. Emily Axelsson, Customer Service Director for IRIE AT tells us how it all works in this audio interview. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The free Window-Eyes 8.1 update includes some bug fixes and enhancements, especially for Windows 8 and Office 2013 users. We speak with Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development and Support at GW Micro, to learn about the latest features and the future of Window-Eyes including potential touch screen support and how long Windows XP users will have until they have to upgrade in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Braille and Print combines an Index Everest embosser with an HP ink cartridge for a one-box solution for producing braille and print simultaneously without losing any braille lines on the page. Meanwhile, the Braillo 300 is the latest in high-speed embossers for production houses and larger transcribing firms. We speak with Jason Castaneda, Director of Sales and Support for American Thermoform Corporation and David Merriman, Director of Sales for Braillo Norway, to learn all about them in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Though the name has changed, Triumph Technology is still the master distributor for Handy Tech braille displays in North America, and their new Basic Braille line is more affordable than prior generations. To learn more, we speak with President Earle Harrison in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Earl is a new iPhone and soon-to-be Android app which presents newspapers using a simplified audio and voice-driven interface for blind users and those who are less comfortable with smartphones. Angle, LLC president and founder David Bong and chief evangelist Bill Spiry give us a hands-on demo of the app and talk about its development in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Firefox browser for Android is now fully accessible with Android devices, providing a fully-functioning browser experience for Talkback users, even with older versions of Androids. Meanwhile, work is progressing on the Firefox OS, a new and open-source mobile platform which will eventually include a built-in screen reader. Eitan Isaacson, Software Developer for Mizilla, demonstrates the latest with Firefox for Android and the development of the Firefox OS in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In 2011, we covered the new Phoenix embosser from Enabling Technologies, a single-sided unit that also features high-resolution graphics. Since that time, the graphics software has received some major updates. In this podcast, we welcome back Enabling Technology's President Tony Shenk to give us the latest on this embosser and the software. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

A new service called Smart911 is available which connects directly with local 911 call centers to provide important safety information in case of an emergency. We speak with Community Marketing Manager Jessica Olson who explains how the service works and how you can sign up. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Lego Mindstorms NXT is perhaps one of the most popular holiday gifts for teenagers and adults, and how blind people can be a part of the fun as well, thanks to a program called JBrick. In this interview, We spoke with Stephanie Ludi, an Assistant Professor of Software Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology, to learn how this free and open-source software can be used accessibly to program robots to do fun things and learn about computer science. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

One of the most talked about devices at CSUN 2013 was the forthcoming accessible graphing calculator. Orbit Research and APH are colaberating to create an accessible version of the hugely popular and mainstream TI-84 Plus Graphinc Calculator and we talked to doctoral student and product tester Sina Bahram to learn all about it and try it out. This podcast is presented in stereo so you can hear the full effect of the graphs, and we recommend listening to it with headphones for the best effect. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

It wasn't very long ago when NVDA was a tiny screen reading project which happened to make a few parts of the computer accessible. The screen reader has come a long way from its early days, and 2013 brings with it Powerpoint support, support for more braille displays, and much more. NVDA lead developer Mick Curran took some time to catch us up and discuss the future of the free screen reader in an extended audio podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Ananse Productions is back with a new mobile game, and this time, it's all about words. Letter Clever, a multiplayer word game,will soon be released for iOS and later Android, and Jim Denham is hear to give us a demonstration and tell us all about it in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In case you missed it, here's an audio demonstration of the new Quantum Bar Code Scanner from A T Guys with the latest version of Bar Code Finder. The Quantum is a USB-based bar code scanner which can be used to identify millions of items including food, books, household items, CD's, movies, non-prescription medications, and much more. It's powered by a variety of sources including Directions for Me from Horizons for the Blind, Amazon.com, Bookshare, and many more. You canpurchase the scanner for $149 from A T Guys.

We didn't get a chance to catch up with Freedom Scientific at CSUN, so thought it would be a good idea to find out the latest. In this audio podcast, we learn about the latest features in Jaws and some new developments for their notetaker line.

There was even more to see at CSUN 2012, and we'll be recording some more podcasts to cover what we missed. Serotek released version 2.0 of their Accessible Event platform which adds many new features to the online meeting platform including text chat, polls, and mobile device support. We speak with Serotek's Ricky Enger to bring us up to speed in this podcast.

Hims feels the notetaker market is here to stay and was showing off new BrailleSense models as welllas a new braille display at CSUN. In this podcast, we speak with Hims Technical Support Specialist Jenny Axler to talk about their latest devices and the company's views on the current notetaker marketplace. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The road to a final product for 6dot has been long and treacherous, but the company now has a finished product and is taking orders. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of their journey was the campaign to raise funds through the crowdsource donation site Kickstarter. In this podcast, Karina Pikhart, President of 6dot Innovations, tells us more about the company's story, some of the challenges they faced, and how to order a 6dot. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

It's gone through many names including the Braille Wizard, but the Android-based notetaker now known as B2G may finally be headed for retail. Brian Macdonald, President of National Braille Press, explains the history behind the project and talks about what's next and when it might be released. He also discusses a concept in the works for a full-page braille display. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Using the touchscreen or a traditional Bluetooth keyboard are not the only ways to control an iOS device. In this audio podcast, we speak with Jaewoo Ahn, CEO of Mobience, to learn more about the device, which is currently available in South Korea. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The team at Yahoo! Accessibility is often not widely noticed but is working on a variety of innovative projects to improve accessibility for their websites, mobile apps, and the Internet as a whole. So how does Yahoo! Accessibility aim to accomplish these goals, and what is their role in the overall company? To learn more, we speak with Senior Accessibility Program Manager Victor Tsaran, Accessibility Engineer Ted Drake, and Social Media Manager Nate Ebrahimoon in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Duxbury continues to pack in new features to their flagship translation software for Windows, features which may also appear in a product for the Mac. Neal Kuniansky, Director of Marketing and Sales for Duxbury Systems, talks about the latest developments in this audio podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

If you're looking to get paid to perform website usability testing, Knowbility's Accessworks may be a good match for you. Jayne Schurick and Jennifer Sutton have been contracted by Knowbility to help administer and promote the service, and we talk with them to learn all about it and how you can get involved as a tester or content provider in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Close captioning television shows for the deaf is a commonly used technology, but what about radio programs? Sam Goldman, Technical Research Associate from NPR Labs, is part of a team developing a solution which includes the ability to provide braille radio captions for the deaf-blind using open-source software. We learn more about the technology in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

If you tried out the Blio eBook reading software when it was first released, the company hopes you'll give it another chance. James Gashel, Vice President for Business Development at KNFB Reading Technology, explains what has changed and how version 3.0 is now accessible to multiple screen readers and platforms. We also discuss the future of the KNFB Reader including plans for an iOS version. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

LookTel continues to produce affordable apps for iOS devices, the latest being their object recognition program. In this audio interview, Eyal Binshtock, Business Development for LookTel, gives us a demonstration of how the app works and talks about the future of the company. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AbiSee has updated their low-vision and blindness portable reading products with the Eye-Pal Vision and the Eye-Pal Reader. Ilana Voldman, QA Manager for AbiSee, explains more in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Electronic Brailler has been modified since its prototype phase and now includes a new braille remote learning component called BERT. David Pillischer, President of Electronic Brailler LLC, explains more about the system in this audio interview and his vision for saving teachers time and money in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Optelec recently announced the Compact 5 HD, a portable video magnifier with a high definition display and an autofocus camera. Optelec Marketing Communications Manager Courtney Berg tells us all about it in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

While BAUM Retec is largely known for braille displays, the company is now expanding the product line to include the Visio Book, a portable desktop video magnifier available in the United States from APH. Niels Vanweele, International Sales Manager for Baum, talks about the company's entry into the low-vision market in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

HumanWare has been busy over the past several months, promoting their latest generation of Brailliant braille displays, releasing an update for the mPower series with PDF support, and updating their desktop video magnifier line with the SmartView Synergy PI. To learn more, we speak with HumanWare's Greg Stilson, Technical Product Manager, and Ed Wikdall, Western Regional Low-vision Sales Manager, in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Perkins Products was busy showing their latest braille technology offerings at CSUN 2012 including the latest Seika braille display, branded in the U.S. as the Perkins Products Mini, and an updated Next Generation Perkins Brailler. Gayle Yarnall, Director of Adaptive Technology at Perkins Products, explains more in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

While many publishers are providing less than ideal access to their textbook collections, CourseSmart is one that is bucking the trend and providing equal access in a partnership with the Student E-rent Pilot Project or STEPP. In this podcast, We speak with Kevin Chao, Quality Assurance Specialist for STEPP, to learn more about the program and how students can gain access to these textbooks. We also discuss the Federated Textbook Finder, allowing users to search a variety of sources for books. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AI Squared has recently released ZoomText version 10, featuring support for an HD webcam as a video magnifier. Plus, the iLoView is a portable video magnifier and the company's first foray into this space. We speak to Marketing Project Manager Rebecca White to learn more and discuss AI Squared's plans for Windows 8 in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

With the forthcoming release of the next generation of the BraillePlus, Larry Skutchan from the American Printing House for the Blind was ready to show off some of the guts of the device. In this podcast, we explore the unit and some of its apps, especially the Nearby Explorer GPS app which likely will also be available on the Android Market.
Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In Europe, many audible traffic lights are activated through the use of a mobile device such as a phone or the Kapten Plus GPS. In this podcast, Fabrice Mercier, International Sales Manager for EO Guidage, gives us a demonstration and talks about the company's efforts to install the system in the United States. View an English translation of the site. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Capti seeks to change how you listen to the web, both with an iPhone app which allows for offline website viewing and a Firefox extension which can potentially replace the functionality of a screen reader for a more fluid browsing experience. We speak to CharmTech Labs President Yevgen Borodin and Usability Consultant Glenn Dausch to learn more and hear a demonstration in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

We saw several braille displays at CSUN, but only one had a braille keyboard and ran Windows 7. The ESYTime is a laptop with a built-in 32-cell braille display. Jean Laurens, Sales Manager for Eurobraille describes the unit in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Job Accommodation Network is a free program which aids employers and employees alike in understanding their rights and responsibilities when it comes to workplace rights and accommodations. Teresa Goddard and Elisabeth Simpson, Senior Consultants for the Job Accommodation Network, explain more in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Access Ingenuity is an assistive technology reseller which also offers website services focusing on section 508 compliance. We speak with Access Ingenuity director Michael Parker to learn more about their products and services in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In case you missed it, Dolphin Computer Access has rebranded many of their products, unifying their screen reader and magnification products under the SuperNova banner. But the latest versions of their products include many updates as well, including dual monitor support and revamped Internet support. To learn more, we speak with Jeff Bazer, Dolphin Sales Manager for the United States, in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

With the demise of the cassette tape, digital devices have been introduced to replace and expand upon the capabilities of their older siblings. The BookPort DT is a forthcoming desktop version of the digital book player with advanced editing features and Internet connectivity among other enhancements. In the first of two CSUN podcasts from the American Printing House for the Blind's Larry Skutchan, we learn about and try out this device and some of the advanced features that are included. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

What exactly is a premium cane? Mellyssa Lyght with Customer Sales and Service for Ambutech explains the company's latest offerings including a new method for replacing cane tips in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

We've wasted many hours in our lives on Bop It, so when the latest model came out, Blind Bargains had to try it. Listen in as J.J. plays with the Bop It XT, the latest in the Hasbro line of audio handheld time-wasters. You can purchase it from Amazon.com for $18.

Last week, we posted a link for the Insignia Voice Command AM/FM Clock Radio for $7.99, making it the cheapest such radio by far. For that price, we figured it was worth giving it a test drive. In this podcast, J.J. describes the unit and demonstrates some of its functions. You can still purchase the clock radio for $7.99 from Cow Boom.

Stem Stumper is an upcoming puzzle game for iPhone including multiple difficulty levels and a completely audio interface. In this audio podcast, Jim Denham from Ananse Productions gives us a sneak peak of the game and tells us all about it.

The Haptica Braille Watch is a new conceptual design featuring refreshable braille to present the time to the user. Inventor and product designer David Chavez is behind a major fund raising push to make such a watch a reality and is currently raising money on Kickstarter.com to make the watch a reality. In this audio interview, we speak with him and learn more about the watch and how you could potentially own one of the first Haptica watches for yourself.

It's an annual Blind Bargains tradition to pay a visit to our best friend, perched just outside of tower 2. Listen in as we say goodbye to ATIA and our good buddy Sierra, everybody's favorite poolside bird.

Another ATIA conference has come and gone, and J.J. Meddaugh and Matt McCubbin have plenty of thoughts and reactions to share after spending three days in the exhibit hall. Listen to hear their highlights and lowlights of the latest technology in this audio podcast.

The next version of Window-Eyes will be released as a public beta very shortly and includes a new user interface, UIA support, and many other enhancements. We speak with several staff from GW Micro including Vice President of Sales Dan Weirich, Vice President of Product Development and Support Doug Geoffray, and Director of Training Jeremy Curry to learn more about the upcoming release in this podcast.

Guerilla has refreshed their line of desktop OCR solutions with two models, one featuring a flatbed scanner and another using a USB-based digital camera. Erin Haithcox, Sales and Marketing Associate for Guerilla Technologies, explains more in this audio demonstration.

Version 11.1 is a major upgrade for the venerable Duxbury Braille Translator and includes support for many new formats including .DOCX files. Neal Kuniansky, Director of Marketing and Sales for Duxbury Systems, talks about the many new features of this release in this audio interview.

Baum is well-known in many parts of the world for their expansive line of braille displays We learn about their product line and some of the latest features with Baum Sales Director Henning Baum and Bay Area Digital's Chris Gray in this audio interview.

Shortly after history was made at Daytona International Speedway when a blind driver navigated a course around the 3.5 mile track, blind driver Mark Riccobono and others addressed the media at Daytona. Listen in as we bring you the entirety of this press conference. You can also listen to the actual event.

History was made at Daytona International Speedway as a blind driver took to the speedway an navigated a course around the track. Mark Riccobono was behind the wheel of a Ford Escape vehicle modified with a nonvisual interface. Listen in to Blind Bargains coverage from trackside at the Blind Driver Challenge. You can also listen to the press conference after the event.

Enabling Technologies brought the Phoenix to ATIA 2011, a new single-sided embosser which can produce both high-quality braille and high-resolution graphics. Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, returns to Blind Bargains to show us how it works and manages to slip in a bit of embosser history in this audio interview.

BookShare came to ATIA loaded with press releases and news, including talk of a new iPhone app and developer API. Betsy Beaumon, General Manager of the Literacy Program for Benetech, talks to us about this, gives a demonstration of the app, and explains their latest initiatives in this audio interview.

Clarity has an affordable video magnifier which is so new, it doesn't even have a name yet. Clarity's Marketing Director Armin Flores explains more and also tells us about one of their flagship desktop products in this audio podcast.

The Index Braille Box is a high-speed production braille embosser with a not-so-high price tag. To tell us more, we speak with Bjorn Lofstedt, owner of Index Braille, who gives us a demonstration in this audio interview.

While many people may be familiar with the popular book reader models, the Milestone 312 has often slipped under the radar as unnoticed, at least in the U.S. So we talked to Daniel Ilar, VP of Sales and Business Development for Bones, who gives an in-depth demonstration of the audio player and some of its accessories in this audio podcast.

What exactly is Active Braille? Earle Harrison, President of HandyTech North America, explains how this new braille display follows the user while they read in this audio interview. Also, listen to learn about HandyTech becoming a distributor of the Accomplish Cash Manager, an accessible home and business accounting package.

The next version of Talks, tentatively called version 5.2, will include support for OVI Maps as well as several new phone models. Monty Lilburn, Product Manager for Nuance Talks, explains more and gives an Android teaser in this audio interview.

AI Squared is here at ATIA 2011 and talking about something else besides Zoomtext, a new OCR and video magnification app for the iPhone called ZoomReader. VP of Business Development Doug Hacker tells us more and provides a brief demonstration in this podcast.

Earlier this week, Humanware began to preview its latest version of KeySoft 9.1, a free update for the notetaker series. To dig deeper into that arena as well as learn about the latest with the Trekker Breeze, we speak with Greg Stilson, Product and Support Specialist for Humanware, in this extended, hands-on demonstration.

Coming into the ATIA 2010 conference in Chicago, there were certainly a lot of questions to ask Hims after their departure with GW Micro. Hims Inc. President James McCarthy and Operating Director Randy Ahn explain the reasoning behind opening a U.S. sales office for the company and what the future holds in this audio interview.

One of the big stories from ATIA 2010 in Chicago was the ending of the relationship between GW Micro and Hims. Dan Weirich, Vice President of Sales for GW Micro, comments on the ending of their relationship with Hims and what it might mean for the future of hardware products with GW Micro. We also beg him for some Window-Eyes 8 hints.

At ATIA 2010 in Chicago, ViewPlus was showing a prototype of a new print/braille embosser which can print on 12 by 18 paper at up to 400 characters per second. Steve Young, Marketing Representative for ViewPlus, demonstrates the EmFuse Color Braille Station in this audio interview.

Jaws for Windows version 12 has introduced several new features including grade 2 braille input and an alternative method of viewing the ribbon. Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management for Freedom Scientific, talks about what's new with Jaws 12 as well as MAGic's dual monitor support and some of the company's reasoning behind the signing of braille display drivers. Also learn his thoughts on the ribbon and if it is still important for computer users to learn it.

The Audio Dart Master has become a popular recreational item and is now being used for leagues across the country. Tomo Lennox of Access Education tells us about the many features of the unit while J.J. tries his best to not injure passersby while throwing darts. Also, a rental option for those who can not afford to buy the unit is discussed. How many attempts will it take J.J. to hit the board?

We posted earlier about Intersection Explorer, a new app for Android which allows you to virtually navigate streets on a map for orientation. Since this concept is perhaps better explained through a demonstration, J.J. has recorded a quick demonstration of this new app.

We recently received the new Thermoworks Instant Read Talking Thermometer, and it's time to put it to the test. Listen in as Matt and J.J. describe the unit as well as testing it in boiling water. If you wish to purchase one, Blind Mice Mart has them for $35.95 plus shipping.

Canon has introduced several accessible solutions for their copiers and printers, especially marketed toward small businesses. Paul Albano, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Solutions Marketing, explains Canon's new accessible solutions for several of their portable business machines in this audio interview.

En-Vision America has once again created a smaller and lighter I.D. Mate, this time naming it the Summit. We talk with David Raistrick, Vice President of Envision America, about the new device and the differences between the Summit and the I.D. Mate Omni in this audio interview.

Enhanced Vision brought a new version of the Pebble 4.3 and a prototype for a new USB magnification system called the Transformer to CSUN. Marc Stenzel, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, shows us these new products in this audio interview.

It's great to see innovative products which take advantage of mainstream technology, regardless of disability. One example is a piece of software for the iPhone which aids those who are unable to speak in communicating. Samuel Sennott, a Ph.D. Student at Pennsylvania State University and creator of Proloquo 2 Go, explains how his product has the potential to change another disability market.

Yet another competitor in the portable reading machine field has emerged, and this one also includes a built-in magnifier. Erik Bondemark, CEO of Low Vision International, shows us how MagniLink Go can not only read printed material, but serve as a magnifier as well in this audio interview.

Yes, there really is a Blio, and we have the audio demo to prove it. James Gashel, Vice President for Business Development at KNFB Reading Technology, gives us an extended tour of this potentially revolutionary program in this audio interview. Note: a couple of the books in this demonstration contain some strong language.

Sitting near the end of one of the aisles was a stationary exercise machine which caught our attention. It's actually a very useful tool for those with limited movement to help gain more control of their muscles. Eric Lewis, Account Manager for Flexiciser, explains more while we try the machine out in this audio interview.

GW Micro announced several new products in conjunction with Hims earlier in the conference, and we wanted to find out more about them. So we once again speak with Raul Gallegos, Product Specialist for GW Micro, to learn more about them in this audio interview. Raul also gives a hint or two on the forthcoming 18-cell BrailleSense notetaker, a story Blind Bargains was first to break last week.

Braille2000 makes several departures from the traditional braille transcription model, one of which is the ability to lease a copy. Listen as Robert Stepp, owner of Computer Application Specialties Company explains this along with some of the features of this WYSIWYG braille translation program in this audio interview.

The search has ended, and the American Foundation for the Blind has chosen Lee Huffman as the new editor of its popular and long-running AccessWorld technology publication. Huffman has written a variety of articles for the magazine in the past and will oversee an expansion to monthly publication this summer. Listen in as we learn more about the magazine's history and its future direction in this audio interview.

Serotek has made some enhancements to its RIM remote access service which includes claimed responsiveness improvements. We talk about this, but also much more including CSUN conference observations and the answer to the question of where J.J. stayed for $26 a night, in this extended audio podcast with Michael Lauf of Serotek.

The DAISY book player competition may have just become a bit more interesting with the pending support for wireless file sharing, podcasts, and Internet radio streams in the Plextalk Pocket. We speak with Plextor's Chief Engineer, Tatsu Nishizawa, to learn about the new and forthcoming capabilities of the device in this audio interview.

The Sendero Group recently announced two new GPS applications, one which brings basic navigational information to the iPhone and another which offers virtual map exploration in Windows, similar to the old Atlas Speaks product. Listen in as we speak to Charles LaPierre and demo these new applications as well as discuss the new features in GPS 2010 for the BrailleNote family of PDA's..

Windows isn't the only operating system with free and open-source screen reading alternatives and Gnome wants you to try their fully-accessible Linux solutions, including Orca. Eitan Isaccson, accessibility activist, and Willie Walker, leader of the Gnome Accessibility project explains the project and talk about the current and future development status in this audio interview.

Nippon Telesoft Co., makers of the Seika braille display, have developed a system which allows blind people to read the lyrics from a karaoke music system. The lyrics which are normally displayed on a monitor are shown in grade 2 on the display. Listen as J.J. tries out the system and sings part of a Stevie Wonder classic. We think they may regret ever creating this system after hearing this recording. Cover your ears.

Japanese Company KGS Corporation, also makers of many braille display components, has created an automatic braille labeling system designed for those who need to create large quantities of labels quickly. Listen in as Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, the U.S. distributor for the labeling system, demonstrates the BL1000 in this audio interview.

Perhaps some of the most interesting interviews at conferences like CSUN are the ones we never planned on doing. We met up with Lucy Greco who has partnered with Yahoo! to provide a view of the conference via her guide dog. Listen into this audio interview to find out exactly what is going on and how you can follow along. You can view the Flicker Feed here and follow <a target="_new"
href="follow">http://accessaces.blogspot.com">follow Lucy's blog.

We were first to report last week on the forthcoming BookSense DS, a new model of the portable media player with a built-in screen. In this audio feature, we get our first hands-on look at the device, tour the keyboard layout, and give some initial impressions, all with the help of Regional Sales manager Marc Solomon.

Freedom Scientific brought something completely new to CSUN, and it may help many with readingbooks quickly. Listen in as
Trainer Dan Clark gives us an early look at the Pearl, a new portable digital camera solution which works with OpenBook.

Viewplus brought some new and upcoming products to CSUN, including a prototype color print/braille magazine-style embosser for the professional sector. In this audio interview, Marketing Representative Steve Young explains how these new products might benefit those looking to print braille and ink on the same page.

After our Intel Reader review, we heard several comments about how the use of the Portable Capture Station (sold separately) would improve our results. Listen in as J.J. Meddaugh tries it out to see if reading is actually improved during this audio podcast.

Oratio, Humanware's screen reading solution for Blackberry smartphones, has garnered a lot of press, both positive and negative. In this extended audio interview, we talk to Michel Pepin, Product Manager for Humanware about the current and future features of Oratio, its future compatibility with other devices, and some of the recent statements which have been made about the software.

We've finally been able to hear an audio demonstration of the forthcoming Blio software. In this audio clip, James Gashel demonstrates the Blio software running on a laptop computer and the iPhone at the National Federation of the Blind's Washington Seminar.

Optelec has made improvements to the Clearview Plus, offering a new one-on-one magnification option while the recently-released Compact Mini offers portable magnification for under $500. We speak with Kelly O'Neill, Marketing Director for Optelec, about the latest magnification tools from the company and their new line of custom skins to personalize your device.

For nearly 20 years, AbleData has provided a free, searchable database which provides information on thousands of assistive technology products and companies. To learn more, we speak with Project Director Katherine Belknap about the services offered at this popular, free website.

Earlier, we posted a quick audio demo of a ClickAndGo Map, a new service which provides pedestrian-friendly directions taylored for blind and visually impaired travelers. We speak to Joe Cioffi, founder of InTouch Graphics, the company behind these innovative maps in this audio interview.

It's often interesting to talk with some of the companies which provide tools to help those with other disabilities and understand how they overcome challenges that are presented. Roberta Scherf, Founder of Thinking Moves, talks about a new DVD called Me Moves, designed to help in theraputic sessions and in the classroom.

Dancing Dots is primarily known for their music editing software, but now have announced their expansion into a new market with the introduction of a product for low vision users. Founder and President Bill McCann, explains how a new touchscreen music magnification system can provide new opportunities for students and musicians alike in this audio interview.

A lot is happening in the world of accessible GPS solutions. In this audio interview, We talk with Mike May, CEO of Sendero Group about the latest versions of their GPS software, some of the new features of version 6.3 and version 7,, the upcoming integration of Google Transit feed data for GPS users, and the hole left by the departure of Wayfinder Access.

Remember the TransCend? It was an innovative device which allowed you to put print and braille on the same page. Now, the device has been reborn. Charlie Kiefer, Product Manager for Enabling Technologies, explains how it works in this audio interview.

Deane Blazie was a recipient of the 2010 Migel Medal, for his work on the Brraille 'n Speak and his contributions to the assistive technology field. In this exclusive audio interview, we talk to Blazie about his career and some history of Blazie Engineering, as well as his involvement in a project which may yield a forthcoming affordable notetaker.

Talks will soon be available for many Symbian touchscreen devices, including the N97.
We speak with Torsten Brand, Talks and Zooms Product manager for Nuance, about the upcoming release of Talks 4.5, which also includes Email support for newer Nokia devices, in this audio interview.

Humanware has been busy over the past few months with new product releases and several free updates for existing products. In this extended audio interview, we speak with Dominic Gagliano, Vice President of Sales for the U.S. market and Greg Stilson, Product and Support Specialist for Humanware about a variety of topics. We discuss the design of the BrailleNote Apex as well as some of the changes planned for the next release of Keysoft, the forthcoming free update to the Victor Reader Stream which includes support for a new book format, a free update to the Trekker Breeze, the status of Trekker, Humanware's take on the Intel Reader, and the current status of Orator.

InTouch Graphics has provided pedestrian-friendly directions for navigating around the hotel and conference center here in Orlando, taylored for blind and visually impaired travelers. In this podcast, we put a ClickAndGo map to the test, as we locate one of the meeting rooms for an interview.

Here's the moment you've been waiting for. In part 3 of our Intel Reader review, we pitted the Intel Reader against the KNFB Reader Mobile to measure their speed, accuracy, and performance. Listen to this audio comparison from Matt Mccubbin and J.J. Meddaugh to see how both performed on six types of documents. We also determine the time it took for each unit to process the images. The speed test results are after the jump. We'll be performing these same tests on other reading software and hardware in the future. Read more

Now that we've done the unboxing, it's time to do an in-depth hands on look at the Intel Reader. We explore virtually every function of the device and try it out with several documents in this over 40 minute audio demo. You may be surprised at how it works. Stay tuned for the final part of this series, where we will do a head-to-head OCR and speed comparison with the KNFB Reader Mobile.

When other gadget sites receive a new product in the mail, they'll often post a video unboxing, showing the opening of the package with their initial impressions. We're audio fans on Blind Bargains, so here we present the audio unboxing of the Intel Reader, one of the latest handheld OCR devices on the market. Join us as we find out what's in the box including a general description of the unit. In part 2, we'll take the reader for a test spin.

A lot has been said about the Book Sense, but we thought it may be appropriate to hear from the unit itself. We sit down with Raul Gallegos, Technical Support Specialist for GW Micro, for an in-depth hands-on look into this new device.

Earlier this year, ABISEE, the makers of Zoom-Ex, introduced a new self-contained reading machine which recognizes a printed page in about five seconds. Listen in to a hands-on demonstration of the Eye-Pal Solo with Product

The Refresh-A-Braille 18 has some rather unique qualities in a braille display including a whopping 80 hours of battery life. Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader for the American Printing House for the Blind, joins us for a quick hands-on tour of this brand new, lightweight device in this audio interview.

Many new online and home-based courses are available in a wide variety of areas, from business and job hunting skills to training in Microsoft Excel. In this audio interview, Dawn Turco, Senior Senior Vice President of Educational Operations at the Hadley School for the Blind talks about the latest courses offered from the school, which are all available to take for free.

Earlier, we learned a bit about the history and function of the Si Recognizer. Now, we sit down with CEO Marco Gregnanin for a hands-on demonstration, reading everything from printed text to round cans. Listen to find out how the software performs, and more.

We've heard a lot about the SI Recognizer (pronounced See Recognizer) but have not been able to get a good hands-on idea of how the product actually works. In the first of an expanded two-part audio interview, we speak with CEO Marco Gregnanin about the product and explore its functions. Stay tuned for part two where we try out the text recognition software on a variety of objects.

ABISee, Inc. has improved on its text recognition software to make it more friendly for totally blind users. Sales Representative Peter Golfman tells us all about the latest happenings from the company in this audio interview.

As soon as we entered the exhibit hall, our ears were immediately drawn to this audio exhibit from NASA. Listen as we walk on a virtual sun and make music while Marty Quinn,, founder of Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, tells us all about it.

New safeguards to prevent against data loss are among the features slated for version 6.1 of the PAC Mate Omni. In an exclusive audio interview, Jonathan Mosen, Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific talks about this and many other features of this free update, which should be released very soon. Also, a few hints are dropped concerning JAWS 10 and we discuss the company's convention presence.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated summer product releases is Code Factory's Mobile Geo, the latest entry into the ever-growing GPS software landscape. In this audio interview with Chris Grabowski, technical support specialist for Sendero Group, we hear an initial hands-on demonstration as well as discuss the features of the upcoming product.

With the release of Window-Eyes 7.0, we've been able to make our life a bit easier by using bar codes. In this short demonstration, listen as J.J. uses a bar code scanner and a Window-eyes script to identify packages and read product directions.

Serotek's mantra at the ATIA conference in Orlando was the accessible digital lifestyle. Mike Calvo, founder and CEO, explains what this means for consumers and how the company is increasing access to a wide variety of modern applications including MP3 players, the Victor Reader Stream, and social networking sites. We also talk about Serotek's partnership with Lenovo through the AIR Foundation and the promise of a sub-$1,000 laptop with included screen access software.

Perhaps the highlight of this year's ATIA coverage wasn't the technology on display. Rather, our attention was often drawn to a talking parrot outside of tower 2 of the Caribe Royale Orlando. Listen to this short clip to realize why.

Dancing Dots has been opening doors for professional musicians for over a decade. Bill McCan, founder and President along with Bryan Smart, Lead Technical Support and Trainer give us a live demonstration of an accessible music scanning and braille output system as well as their accessible JAWS scripts for Sonar 7. Not only do these programs function extremely well for professional musicians, the music scanning software would work great for school-aged students who wish to have braille music in their band class.

Read How You Want, a small startup which originally produced large print books, is planning an expansion into the commercial DAISY book market. We talked with Rosanne Goodwin, head of marketing and sales for North America about the company's new accessible book offerings which will be available for close to the price of print books.

We had a chance to look at perhaps one of the most advanced refreshable braille displays on the market. Listen in as we speak with Gert Jan van Barneveld, Account Manager for Optelec, who talks about the ALVA BC640 with Audio Feature Pack, a modern braille display with audio capabilities.

One of the companies who perhaps has released the most new and updated software products in the past year is Code Factory. Greg Gladman, Chief Technical Officer and Irja Gerdes, Internal Sales Director join us to talk about what's new in accessible mobile phone and PDA software as well as what's on the horizon.

We've been waiting patiently to hear more about the upcoming scripting support in Window-Eyes 7.0. In this audio interview, Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development and Support for GW Micro, answers questions about the upcoming release and talks about some of the ways the new language can be used and the scripts that will be included.

On Monday, January 28, a press conference was held at the Holiday Inn Capitol in Washington, DC to announce the KNFB Reader Mobile, the new cell phone-based reading software. Here is the full audio from the event which includes a demonstration of the reader andquestions from the audience.

AIR, standing for Accessibility is a Right, is a new nonprofit foundation initially formed by members of Serotek to promote and increase free access to assistive technology. In this audio interview, Michael Fox tells about System Access to Go, the first product to become freely available as a result of the new initiative as well as the goals of the foundation.

Perhaps one of the biggest product announcements of this year's ATIA conference is the new KNFB Reader Mobile. To tell us all about it, we spoke with James Gashel, Vice President of Marketing for KNFB Reading Technologies. Learn about many of the features of the new phone-based product as well as the future of the KNFB Reader Classic.

We spoke with Jonathan Mosen, Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific about the latest hardware and software from the company. Listen to hear about the Pac Mate Omni, JAWS 9, MAGic Pro Scripting Edition, and OpenBook 8 as well as his thoughts about the screen reader industry.

Larry Lewis is the founder of Flying Blind, LLC and a representative for Baum, makers of braille displays and portable CCTV's. In this audio interview, we discuss the latest products from the company including how braille displays can greatly enhance the use of a mobile phone.

GH, LLC makes one of the most advanced software-based DAISY audio players on the market. Listen in as CEO Dave Schleppenbach tells us about the product and the latest enhancements and also demonstrates some of its functionality.

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